The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-08 00:00:00

LONDON GAZETTE—(This

•
WAR-OFFICE, MAT 8.
The Queen hag been pler.vd to issue aCommission under
her Royal Sign Manual, of which the following is a copy,
to enquire into the organization, government, and direc-
tion of the medical department of the army :
Ylctbria, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Difeuder of the
Faith, _

To Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor, the
Plight Honourable Sidney Herbert; aid to Our trusty
and well-beloved Augustus Stafford Stafford, Esquire ;
Sir Henry Knight Storks, Knight Commander of the
Most Honourable Order of the B.;.th, a Colonel in
Our Army, and Secretary for Military Correspondence
in Our War Department ; Andrew Smith, M.D, Di-
rector - General of Oar Army Medical Department ;
Thomas Alexander, Companion of the Most Honourable
Order of the Bath ; Sir Thomas Phillips, Knight; James
Ransld Ma tie, Dquire, F.P., S. ; Sir James Clark, Bert.,
M.D. ; and John Sutherland, M.D , gr.?eting, :
Whereas it tenth been humbly represented to us that, con-
sblering the great importance of maintaining and improving
the health of all ranks of our Army at horn,e and abroad,
and of providing for their medical care and treatment in
cases of disease, wound 4, and other casualties whatspover,
in the must approved maoner, it is expedient that certain
inquiries should be made into the constitution of the Me-
dical Department of our army, the mode of appointment
of its oilic,rs, and the system which regulates their rank,
pay, promotion, and retirement ; likewise it is further ex-
pedient to examine into the condition and administration
of the hospitals of-our army, with a view to their inc: eased
efficiency._
Now k-eow ye, that we, having taken into our conside-
ration the premises, do hereby order ant direct you
the said.. Sidney Herbert, Augustus Stafford Stafford, Sir
Henry Knight Storks, Andrew Smith, Thomas Alexan-
der, Sir Thomas Phillips, Sir James Utak, James Renal,'
Martin, and j ohn Sutherland, to inquire into the organi-
sation, government, and direction of the Medical D.Tart-
wont of our Army.

And firstly, to enquire into the mode by which candi-
dates for first Commissions are selected, and the
system adopted for their promotion and routine of
service; also the mode adopted in regard•to their pay and
retiring allowances.
And further, We do order an I direct you to enquire
into the means now adopted fer acquiring, keeping up, and
edding to the professional knowledge of the officers of Our
Medical Department, and to consider whether it will be
expedient to encourage them to combine civil practice
where compatible with military duty.
And further, We do order and direct you to enquire in-
to the operation of the regulations now in force, with a
view to the prevention of disease in Our Army, both at
home and abroad, as regards barrack accommodation, en-,
campments, clothing, rations, and other matters, relating
thereto, having regard to the various climates to which
our troops aro exposed, and the duties and responsibility
of the medical authorities on these matter•.

And further, We do order an direct you to enquire
into the state and condition of military hospitals, both
general and regimental.
Also in the system adopted in the same, or the treat-
ment. of our soldiers, and the powers possessed or exercised
by the medical superintendents or other functionaries in
such hospitals, for providing diet, medicines, and every
requisite for the medical and surgical treatment of the
patients under their charge, together with the character
of the diet, medical comforts, furniture, and other hos-
pital supplies.
Also, We do further direct you to inquire generally as
to ;the expenditure of such hospitals, and the financial
control now exercised in and over the same, and the rela-
tive authority of the various departments whose functions
are exercised within the hospitals.
And further, we do order and direct you to enquire into
the rules and regulations, or the practice, in force for in-
validing and discharging the soldiers of our army, when
brought forward for discharge, as unfit for further service.
And thither, we do order and direct you to enquire
into the system of management and treatment of, and the
provision made for, patients in civil hospitals, whether in
immediate connection with our army or otherwise, and to
consider whether such management or treatment, or any
portion thereof, can ho introduced with advantage in the
medical department of our army.
And we further order and direct you to encleire into the
expediency of making provision in our military hospitals
for the officers of our army suffering fre,n disease or acci-
dent incurred in our service, snd toconsider whether it will
be advisable to provide in our military hospitals for the
treatment and cure of lunatic officers or soldiers, or to es-
tablish a separate military hospital or hospitals for that
purpose, or in any other manner to provid.a for the treat-
ment of such cases.
And we do further command and require you to re-
port what charges you may consider it expedient to make
in the organisation, management, and expenditure of the
Medical Department of our Army, with a view to the ut-
most efficiency of this branch of our military service, and
what measures you may recommend to be adopted, with a
view to the preservation of the health of our troops a.,
home and abroad; and also that you do report your opinion
upon such returns or records as should be kept by the me-
dical officers of our army, with a view to the preparation
of a well digested and accurate body of military medical
statistics. _ _

--- -- And it is Our farther will and pleasure that you, or any
five or more of you, do obtain information touching the