The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-29 00:00:00

711.1URSDAY EVEN ING, MARCH 29 18 5

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COM-
MITTEE---(THIS DA. Y. )

The Committee re-assembled this morning at the

usual hour.

The first witness called was Dr. Forrest, who was
examined by the chairman.
His evidence did not disclose any facts which have
not been elicited over and ever again in coenection with
the Scutari hospitals and the Crimea. It was to the effect
that he bad been Staff Surgeon to the 3cl Division fn the
Crimea, but relinquished that duty on account of ill-
health, and was then appointed deputy inspector of the
hospitals at Scutari, where he superseded Dr. Menzies,
by a general order. He was only there for ten days.
He accompanied the Droops to the Crimea. After the
battle of the Alma the medical stores were quite suffi-
cient. The hospital tents were, howev-er, very defective;
and accordingly the patients within them were exposed to
the weather. He made a representation to this effect to
head quarters, but he ascertained that no others could
be obtained. He was only. at Scutari about 10 days.
The barrack hospital was much over crowded, but he did
not feel any offensive smells in the walls. There
were plenty of medicines and medical comforts at that
time, with the exception, however, of opium. He did
not notice any dirt on the floors. There, were two
kitchens in the barrack hospital, one of which was occu-
pied by Mrs. Bracebridge and Miss Nightingale, and
the other was fitted up for the use of Mr. Wreford the
purveyor. There was an operating-room containing
proper tables.

In reply to Mr Layard, Dr. Forrest said that there
was a supply of medicine in the camp, with the excep-
tion of opium, which was a most necessary article for
such a climate. He could never, however, obtain a
sufficient quantity of quinine. He had a chest of medi-
cines and surgical appliances with him, winch he thought
quite sufficient for all purposes. There were sufficient
appliances for conducting operations after the battle of
Inkerman. The hospital tents were never ranch crowded
except in wet weather, when the smell within them was
very offensive. He saw the dead house of the general
hospital at Scutari. It was at the end of one of the
Corridors, and a very bad smell proceeded from it.
He accordingly had it removed. While the troops were
at Varna the Third Division were encamped near the
'Commissariat stores, and got plenty of peirter, 'bitter
beer, and tea. The tea was sold to the men at Is. 4J.
per lb. ; the quality was excellent. There was a want
9f linie juice at Constantinople. He understood that a
Ilrge quantity had been sent out, but to his knowledge
it never arrived. The purveyor he always found very
anxious to do everything in his, power to second him in
his efforts. '

March 28, 1855.

By Mr. Ball--L-He could confirm what had been stated
by Dr. Menties, that the time required for the filling up
of forms and making out returns interfered materially
with the hospital inspector in fulfilling his duties.
By the Chairman—The division to which he was at-
tached had not sufficient stores during ten days after
their arrival before Sebastepol on the 28th of September.
He made application at Balaklava for medical stores,
but there were none there.

By Mr. Layard—He never fonnd tiny conflict of an-

;hority between himielf and the commandant. For all
military purposes the commandant had the direction of
the hospital buildings, but he could not tell what were
that officer's instructions. It was his duty to remove
any nuisances from the buildings. He had never any
difficulty with the purveyor, from whom he readily ob-
tained everything he required. The duties of hospital
inspector at Scutari were so numerous that one man
could not discharge them efficiently.
By Lord Seymour—He did not see the limes com-
missioner at Scutari, and did not know whether or not
he was there at the same time with him. He, however,
saw Miss Nightinglale, and found that she had done a
great amount of good. The system of orderlies in the
hospitals was most inefficient. In his opinion trained
soldiers ought to be employed in that duty. He also
thdught that in an hospital of such magnitude the duties
of filling up forms and regulations should be entrusted
to some other officer than the inspector, as they took up
too much valuable time, and rendered his duties ex-
-2i 3 T tremely heavy.

Captain Bamford, of the 63d Regiment, who was
wounded by a shell at Inkerman, was next called, and
examined by General Peel.
He stated that he bad read the evidence which bad

been given with respect to the withholding of the knap-
sacks, and he believed that it was incorrect. Some of
the knapsacks arrived on the 12th November, and were
issued directly afterwards. Holes were excavated for
the tents, but he never heard that an order was issued
that no knapsacks should be issued until these holes
were dry. Mr. Flower, who had given that evidence,
was sick nearly the whole time, and was confined to his
tent. The knapsacks were supposed to bo waterproof—.
he could not say whetherthey were-so or not.
By Lord Seymour—When he was wounded he was
taken down to Balaklava by an ambhlance waggon,
which was a very unpleasant mode of travelling. He
much preferred the French mode of conveying their
sick on mules. It was much easier and safer for the
men. On the transports he saw the men lying about
upon the decks. He was conveyed on board the Trent,
which had about 150 men on board. It was the wor4t
ship he was ever in. There was no convenience or pro-
vision of any kind. • It was positively dreadful. He
did not know what sort of bedding there was on board
for the sick. On arriving at Scutari he was carried to

the hospital on a stretcher. Some of the sick were landed
that day, and others remained on board. Ho was taken
to the barrack hospital. His allowance per day was a
pound of raw meat, with some bread and tea, but there
were no means of cooking, lie was attended by Dr.
Forbes, who was very assiduous in the performance of

his duties. There was no supply of linen. He never
saw the deputy-inspector in the hospital. At all events
he never came to the Nvard in which he was placed. He
supposed that the military commandant was responsible
for the deficiencies which existed in the hospital.
By Mr. Layard—He did not believe that the 63d
Regiment had been so reduced as had been stated. He
had not heard of the regiment since January, but he
presumed it was at Balaklava.
By General Peel—As fast as the knapsacks came up
they were delivered out, but he did not know whether
the whole regiment had them up t') this time.
By Lord Seymour—Up to the time of his departure
fresh meat was brought from Balaklava. The sa't
pork was good, but the salt beef was horrible. He
very seldom saw potatoes or vegetables served out. The
coffee was at first roasted, but it soon was given them
in a raw state.

By the Chairman.—When on board the Trent he did
not perceive that any offensive smells proceeded from
the hold.

The next witness called was Captain More, of the
Andes, Government transport. He stated that the ves-
sel was taken up by the Government last year. He left
England in April with troops for the East.
The examination of Captain More was proceeding
when our report was despatched.

CIVIL AND MILITARY CLAIMS OF-THE , gdoms. The examinations would thus become papa-
MEDICAL PROFESSIOY. lar,, and above Prspicion ; the first step on the ladder
of )remotion would be made_ the recompence of early
Bence, and attract to the Queen's service the choicest
c if t he rising race of students.
I 'he army medicM department would act more pliably
a ad accurately if it were, like the commissariat, com-
p let ely isolated from the purely military structure of the
arm y. Surgeons should not, as at present, be rigidly
a fru :ed to regiments, but distributed amongst the differ-
eat divisions and sections of the military force, as it
rot 'at appear most expedient to the heads of the medi-
cal i lepartments.
II tie extensive changes which I have thus faintly out-
lin • 1 would, if carried out, soothe the wounded feelings
of die medical profession, attract to the Government of
hey Majesty the Counsels of the best professional intel-
s, maintain a copious influx of gifted candidates into
the military medical ranks, and place in the hands of
yo a r lordship a machine at once powerful and tractable,
thi ,ugh which the benevolent purposes of the Govern-
In( ar. t would be effectutally promoted is the most distant
an d minute ramifications of this branch of the public

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUE.

SlB,—The Government of Lord Palmerston must fall
anless sustained by " the pressure from without," but
the national sympathy can only be won and held, in
times of great emergency, by
,bold acts, founded on
sound principles. The intentions of the Palmerston
Cabinet are good, but its enemies are numerous and
powerful. It has yet to show that it has the energy to
shake off the cacoethes of routine. In all departments
there is much eradication, lopping, and transplanting to
!)(3 done, and great will be the resistance that will be
offered to the projected reformation.
Persons unacquainted with the action of Government
hare no conception of the thousand influences that are
constantly exerted to seduce a Minister from his duty.
Parliamentary solicitations disturb his exercise of patron-
age, and the via inerthr of an over-grown, ill-governed,
and idle official staff, neutralise his most strenuous•
efforts by a passive resistance.

set I ice.

Laving collected and disciplined an effective corps of
me K lical officers, the most important and difficult half of
yo o r lordship's task would be accomplished. The "
so; F nel" of the medical staff being provided, the pre-
pa r ation of the "materiel," the supply of instruments,
nn Heins., comforts, transport and. shelter, would he a
co osiparatively easy achievement. The duty of procur-
in ; these supplies would be best accomplished by a branch
of '.the commissariat. A due proportion of medical com-
m u isaries acting under the orders of the chief of their
de F iartments, whose sufficient guarantee in all transac-
tio t is should be the command of the general, would con-
sti. de a force better adapted to satisfy the requisitions
of t 'le medical officers, and the wants of the sick and
wo mlded, than the old and cumbrous machinery of the
ap oft ecarist and the purveyor's department. Persons
su fled to the performance of such duties are to be met
w it in abundance in the establishments of wholesale
dr ggists, manufacturing chemists, and even amongst
it edical men.
I feel confident that, if your lordship will condescend
to •be guided by the considerations I have suggested, you
w ill obtain abundance of aid, conciliate the esteem of
.e medical profession, calm the anxiety of the nation,
al id. what your lordship has most at heart, secure to the
B ritish soldier in every situation the most prompt and
p th'act professional assistance.
8 hould you deem these suggestions- worthy of atten-
tion; , and desire any explanation of the principles and
detoi is connected with them, I should be 'proud to have
the Iportunity of an interview, and afford any help in
my p mer to crown with success this important part of
your -4 'ordship's Herculean enterprise.—l have the honour
to Lv., your lordship's obedient servant,
D. 0. EDWARDS.

Lord Panmure's task in reconstructing the War De-
partment, though he will be assisted by the report of
the "Crimean Committee," will be gigantic, and may
prove abortive, unless he is aided by the press and the
public.

I have ventured to suggest t) his lordship a scheme
for the reform of one branch of his department, the Army
Medical Staff, which he is well inclined to adopt, but
there are so many prejudices to be overcome. in high
quarters, and so many private interests and feelings that
must be wounded, that unless the medical profession
bestir itself, so as to obtain a general expression of pub-
lic sympathy with their claims, his lordship will be
able to obtain for them but a scant measure of justice.—
I am sir, your obedient servant,

D. O. E.

London, 27th February, 1855.
My Lord,--=-The letter addressed by your lordship to
the managers of Medical Hospitals and Dispensaries
challenges every loyal medical man to offer to her
Majesty's Government, at the present juncture, every
aid in his power. It will also, I hope, plead as-an
apology for my intrusion on your attention.
The having had the honour of serving the Crown in a
military medical capacity, and having for several years
been the medical resident of one of the London Hos-
pitals, have initiated me into the systems of manage-
ment adopted both in civil and military practice. I am,
consequently, familiar with the. working of the Army
Medical Department, as well as with the- feelings and
opinions of the medical profession in general.
Fearing that your lordship's appeal to the civil prac-
titioners of medicine may not be attended with the
expected success, I beg leave to address to you a few
observations on the subject.
The inefficiency of the Army Medical Staff, lately
manifested in so many painful failures, may be traced
to several long existing causes.
At the root of the evil will be found a feeling of
alienation from the Government, running through the
entire medical body. This sentiment has been kindled
by the neglect, false economy,_ and even persecution of
former authorities. The Crown and Parliament have
conferred no adequate rewards and distinctions on medi-
cal men of merit. The few places of emolument for-
merly bestowed on professional veterans have been sup-
pressed, or curtailed. Many acts of oppression' have
emanated from the original Poor-Law Commissioners,
under the sanction of the great officers of State,
and even at the present moment the grievances of the
naval surgeons are disdainfully neglected.
A disregard of the feelings-and interests of the medi-
cal man has been displayed in all branches of the public
service. Stingy recompence and blindness to merit
have always characterised the conduct of the British
Government to its medical servants, and have repelled
from the service of the State men of talent and enter-
priae, who are naturally attracted by the higher prizes
and the greater personal consideration which private
practice insures.
In the army, particularly, not only have the medical
officers been treated with supercilious indifference, but
the original appointments to the service, and all subse-
quent promotions, have been distorted by motives of
nepotism and borough interest. Men of superior talents,
finding themselves by chance in the ranks of the army
surgeons, have speedily discovered that their position
afforded no field for the exercise of their abilities, and
have abandoned it for scenes more fertile in reward.
The medical profession are acutely sensible that a fair
share of public honours and rewards has not been ac-
corded to then). They see their social position so infe-
rior to that of their brethren in all other civilised coun-

War Department, March 10, 1855.
Sill,- -I am directed by Lord Panmure to'acknowledge
the teesipt of your communication, dated the 27th
Febr nary, and to thank you for the many valuable sug-
gesti tuts contained in it, to which his lordship will give
full t ;ccnsideration.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
' (Signed) E. C. MUNDY.
D. p. Edwards, Esq., F.R.C.S.

R AIL WA Y INTELLIGENCE.

tries, and so lowered through the positive discourage-
ment of the Government, that members of the territorial
and privileged families, and the more ambitious spirits
of each generation, are consequently deterred from en-
tering their ranks. It is not to be wondered at, there-
fore, that a persuasion is spreading amongst them that
their interests, at least, could not be damaged by any
organic changes in the institutions of the country.
My Lord, we are 20,000 educated men, distributed
all over the Queen's dominions, having great influence
with the lower and middle classes, and understanding
the virtue of union amongst ourselves. Emergencies
sometimes occur in the history of society when the sup-
port of such a well disciplined and so intelligent a body
might be of vital importance to a statesman, perhaps to
a Government.
In your Lordship's present arluous task the good-will
of the medical profession is indispensable to your suc-
cess. The aid of the best men can only be won by the
adoption of large and liberal views of the justice of their
claims.

NORTH BRITISH.

Your lordship's former career in office leads us to ex-
pect originality and boldness in your plans of reform.
You will not be fettered by precedents ; you will not be
contented with collecting a "posse" of inferior practi-

_
tioners, and thus tampering with the lives of your in-
valuable soldiery ; and you will not scruple, by a few
vigorous measures, to call to your aid the resources of
the whole medical body.
In the re-construction of the Army Medical Depart•
went, your lordship will find a safe basis in a few simple
principles.
Thd healing art is one----civil and military medicine and
surgery are based on the same physiological principles ;
and every well-trained medical man is as fit for one
function as the other.

The: adjourned meeting of this company to receive the
report- 4f the scrutineers, appointed at the meeting of
the 201,:h, as to the motion cf the chairman for the adop-
tion ofl !the report, which was carried by a large majority
of the v otes of shareholders present, took place at Edin-
burgh on -Tuesday. Mr. Hodgson presided.
It `vat ; intimated that the two pairs of scrutineers bad
differod on various technical objections taken to the
proxies„ and had found it necessary to make separate re-
ports_ The report of Messrs. Douglas and Allan stated
that the proxies lodged amounted in all to 1,522, of which
543 were used in support of the chairman's motion, and
979 ags.inst the motion. Of the latter, 54 had no votes at
all, 70-were altered in date, or the names of the granters
changed, and several not found on the registry at all ;
310 did that give the year of the meeting for which the
proxy was granted, nor state the date properly. A large
number of proxies authenticated for use in 1852 appeared
with the figure 2 altered to 5. The scrutineers were
confident that a large number of the proxies, as well as
the ye tes, were in support of the chairman's motion.
The report of Messrs. Chaytor and Bateman stated
that o:n both sides a great number of technical objections
had been made. On the whole, they did not think that
more than 12 of the proxies were really bad, arising
from wrong names or insufficient identity. Their deci-
sion was, that there had voted for the motion—present,
1,10 ; proxies, 7,428 ; making 8,537 votes; and for
the amendment—to disapprove the report and grant the
ls. dilvidend—present, 265 ; proxies, 8,819 ; making
9,084 votes ; leaving a balance in favour of the amend-
ment of 547 votes.
The CHAIRIKAN decided that his motion was carried
by a considerable majority of the votes of the share-
holders, If he was wrong, it was for the law courts to
correct him.

Among civil practitioners there exists an abundance
of talent and skill available for the service of the State.
We have not only the actual officers of the public cha-
rities, and others in full practice, but a class of expec-
tants, numerous, capable, and ready to step into the
shoes of their seniors. Besides these, there are many
respectable men, endowed with property, masters of
their art, and though they may not have the tact and
suppleness necessary to first-rate success in private prac-
tice, possessing virtues that fit them for public duties.
A peculiar preparation for the medical duties of the
army, and the expensive expedient of the ha'f-pay list,
are perfectly superfluous ; lii!st the cordial aid of ran
overflowing profession may be earned by a few just and
reasonable concessions.
The first stage in tl.e process of reform is to improve
the relation between the Government and the medical
profession. When the Crown seeks counsel from its
subjects in important matters, it seems au obvious piece
of justice that the real advisers should have the credit
of being the ostensible advisers of the cox;equent mea-
sures.
As a bare recompence to a numerous class who confer
immense benefit on society, I respectfully suggest that
your lordship should recommend to her Majesty tivclre
of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the
United Kingdom to be sworn of the Privy Council.
They would form a committee, to be consulted in all
sanitary questions relating to a state of peace, as well as
to a state of war.

Mr. SKINNER protested against the chairman's de-

cision.

A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. on the guaranteed
stock was then agreed to.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of direc-
ter 3 in the room of Messrs. Kinloch, Chaytor, and
Brook.. Mr. Kinloch was re-elected unanimously, and
for the two remaining seats six candidates were named,
and votes taken. Messrs. Jowett, of Leeds, and Bow-
man, of Newcastle, were ultimately declared elected.
Ic was then agreed tLat the uoxt half-yearly meeting
be held in London.
The meeting then separated.

Such a body would possess the confidence of the pro-
fession and of the nation, and would escape the suspicion
which surrounds the appointments proceeding from the
favour or private opinion of a Minister.
Upheld by such counsellors, and by the hearty good-
will of the whole medical faculty, the Government
would find little difficulty in constructing an eminently
effective medical staff for the army.
In the medical, as well as in the other military depart-
ments, the procuration of the " personnel" and the pro-
vision of the " materiel" form two distinct provinces of
duty.
There is already extant a numerous medical staff, pro-
bably including many clever men, but graduated accord-
ing to any influence rather than that of desert. The
right men are not in the right places. But if well orga-
nised, the present numbers would not be sufficient for
the wants of the army. It is, therefore, necessary to re-
cruit largely from the civil ranks, not only by engaging
youths fresh from the schools, but men of mature ■kill
and experience.
To discard the existing machinery, to dismiss the
superannuated habitues of routine, and to consider the
while departments as so many units to be recombined,
is an indispensable preliminary to a better organisation.
The first step for your lordship to take is the selection
of an intelligent medical man as your departmental sec-
retary, through whom you could accurately supervise
the action of the whole machine.

The present heads of the department should be re-
placed by a younger Army Medical Board, consisting of
the departmental secretary, and of military physicians
and surgeons of wide experience at home and abroad.
This council, under the close superintendence and occa-
sional preaidence of your lordship—the chief, responsible
to the Crown and Parliament—could exercise importatit
functions; admit candidates, regulate promotion, distri-
bute duties, receive reports, and publish periodical sum-
maries, exhibiting to the Government and the people
the sanitary condition of the army.
The proposed incorporation of mature medical men
into the military service could be satisfactorily effected
under the advice and influence of the Medical Commit-
tee of the Privy Council. Such a measure, though un-
avoidable at present, should be considered as exceptional,
and its recurrence ought to be rendered unnecessary by
the new arrangements.
As inducements to men of ability t) enter and remain
in the public service a higher rate of pay should be estab-
lished through every grade, and liberal pensions bestowed
after lone. service. A number of superior staff appoint-
ments should be created as rewards for great excellence.
If a new order of merit be, as is reported, founded by
her Majesty, an adequate section should be devoted to
the medical profession.
In filling up the vacancies which occur in the lowest
rank, the example of the lion. East India Company is
worthy of imitailon and the appointments should be
te: line-ors " or cow pet..ti
examinations. The application of this test might be
intrusted to the oldest medical colleges of the three