The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-20
Rank or Army Surgeons.

. Q
the services of the Medical Staff, in the Mexican
campaign. He spoke of that devoted body OF
men as not alone exposed to the hardshps and
dangers of the march and the battle field, but as
also compelled to minister to the wounded at mid
night, while their comrades rested after the fight
and enjoyed the solace Of sleep--and put on re-
cord his high appreciation of their services.
AS an additional mark of the public appreciation
of their services, and those of their worthy head,
a brevet was conferred on Surgeon General
LAWSON, at the close ofthe campaign-a merited
compliment to himself as well as to his corps.
BY the concurrent testimony of all best capa-
BILE of judging, at no previous period was the
medical staff of the army composed of better ma
teral than at present, both as respects capacity
and high tone; and debarred as it has been from
the more substantial marks of public gratitude,
we really think that its feelings of proper pride
should be respected.
1t is well known that the most tender point
with all the gentlemen connected with the army
is that of rank and from the annexed state
ment which we take from the Philadelphia In
quirer, it would appear that a late Army Board
have recommended change, against which
Surgeon MOWER, one of its members, has pro-
tested, as lowering the position of the arm of
service to which he is attached
Without pretending to understand thorough
ly the merits of the case, we give the notice of
this protest as we find it in the Inquirer, with
the simple remark that the change would GER
tainly be an unkind one, (even if strictly war
ranted by the rules of service,) should those,
on whom it is intended to operate take the same
view of the matter, as their representative on
that board evidently has done.
The Inquirer says
ARMY SURGEoNs-DR. Mowers PROTEST.
In the April number of the Medical Examiner
(ajournal published in this city, we find power
full and well-written article from the pen of DIR.
T. G. Mower, distinguished surgeon of the
United States army, protesting against the pro-
ceedings of an army board, proposing certain
changes in relation to the medical department of
the army He remarks that 'lhe proposition to
make CONTRARY to existing laws) a senior medi-
cal officer virtually subordinate to junior Off
Ger of the other branches of service, who may
chance to be in command at a point or station,
is based upon theoetcal rather than practical
principles. Their duties being altogether dis
tinct, there is actually no necessity for the one
interfering with the other; and it may be re-
marked that the less this is done, the better is it
for the interest of the service. Experience
may be confidently appealed to prove that the
medical officer is seldom interfered with by &
commanding officer of well-regulated mind anc
experience. And, in illustration, | may STATE
that previous to the present organization of TIN
medical department, served for period of 81
years as surgeon of the sixth regiment of infan
try, commanded by Colonel (Brigadier General
Atkinson, confessedly one of the best dscipl
narians of the army, and, without any solicitatio
on my part, he voluntarily extended to me tn
privilege of absenting myself from the post ten
porarily, at my own discretion, on the practcs
and common-sense ground that could best judy
when my services with the command could b
spared, and with the understanding that | wa
strictly responsible for the performance of m
appropriate duties. 1t gives me pleasure to adj
the testimony of one of the members OF thi
board-an experienced and successful commando
that milar practice existed in his last com
mand."
This extract very clearly shows that the pre-
sent system, that puts the surgeon of the arm
upon a proper footing with the other branche
of the service, ought not to be changed. No
do We apprehend for moment that Congress
will seriously entertain any such proposition
A majority of military board (having upon
but one member who belongs to the medics
corps of the army may recommend what
pleases. But it will avail nothing when it come
before the representatives Of the people TIL
proposed alteration is not only eminently rid
culnuo Init calpu tod lv N lnxyar tho
of the surgeons of the army by attempting t
make them subject to every young officer VIII
may have just left the military academy. w
would advise those members of the board VIII
favor the change to ''let well enough Alone
The surgeons of the army are all eminentll
qualified to hold the high posts they occupy, a.
was illustrated during the late glorious war
Will they remain in the corps if the present sys
tenn be altered in the manner suggested by tn,
board We think not. Nor is it likely (if any
could be found to fill their vacated places unde
this degrading change) that the officers or sol
diers would be gamers by such grade of sur
geons There are, however, no such men to b,
found in the medical professionalism WORTHY
of the post of surgeon-who would agree to &C
cept commission refused by hghminded anC
insulted brother of the same distinguished pro
fession--a profession that embraces within il
widereachng circuit some Of the most learned
humane, and accomplished men in the country
Shall such understandable, dignified, and
talented-be nsulted by supposing that any one
of its members will consent to accept The place
which highly educated brother considers him.
self dishonored in holding? We repeat that we
are confident Congress will never agree to pass
the proposed ateration--an alteration that every
medical gentleman in the country would con-
slider a ersonai insult 10 himself We think
the army officers of the board much at fault, who
have thus arrayed the thousands of physi, ians
ofthe country against them. The medical perio-
ideals have already taken the subject in hand
andhave severely rebuked this attempted change
"StlII Must We Heart"