The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-21
SOUTHERN PRESS
WASHINGTON CITY.
TUESDAY, MAY 20. 1851.
Rank Of Army Surgeons.

from one of the dispatches of the gallant Gen.
WoRTH, glowing tribute to the gallantry and
the services Of the Medical Staff, in the Mexican
campaign. He spoke of that devoted body OF
men as not alone exposed to the hardships 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 campaigns 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
terial than at present, both as respects capacity
and high tone; and debarred as it has been from
Tie more substantial marks of public gratitude,
We really think that its feelings of proper pride
lculd be respected
1t is we'll known that the most tender point
vitballt the gentlemen connected with the army
i,that of rank; and from the annexed state
ment, which we take from the Philadelphia In
q,iirer, it would appear that 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
~ 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 SURG EoYs-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 DR..
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 1.-THE proposition to
make Contrary to existing laws) senior medi-
cal officer virtually subordinate to junior off,
Ger of the other branches of service, who may
chance to be in command at 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 isit
for the interest of the service Experience
may be confidently appealed ~ prove that the
medical officer is seldom inference with by a
commanding officer of well-regulated mind and
experience. And in illustration, | may state
that previous to the present organization Of the
medical department, served for period of six
years AZ surgeon of the sixth regiment of infan-
try, commanded by Colonel (Brigadier General)
Atkinson, confessedly one of the best disciple
narians of the army, and without any solicitation
on my part, he voluntarily extended to me the
privilege of absenting myself from the post tenn
porarily, at my own discretion, on the practical
and common-sense ground that could best Judge
when my services with the command could be
spared, and with the understanding that was
strictly responsible for the performance of NV
appropriate duties II gives me pleasure to add
the testimony Of one of the members OF this
board--an experienced and successful commander
that a milar practice existed in his last com.
mand."
This extract very clearly shows that the pre-
sent system, that puts the surgeon of the army
upon proper footing with the other branches
of the service, ought not TO be changed. MOI
do we apprehend for moment that Congress
will seriously entertain any such proposition
A majority Of military board (having upon il
but one member who belongs TO the medical
corps of the army may recommend what il
peases. But II will avail nothing when il comes
before the representatives Of the people. The
proposed alteration is not only eminenty ridi-
culous, but calculated greatly 10 lower The grade
OF the surgeons Of the army, by attempting 70
make them subject TO every young officer who
may have just left the military academy We
would advise those members Of the board who
favor the change TO 'et we'll enough alone
The surgeons Of the army are all eminenty
qualified to hold the high posts they occupy, as
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 the
board ? We think not. Nor is il likely Of any
could be found TO I'll their vacated places under
this degrading change) that the officers or sol
die 8 would be gamers by such grade Of sur.
geons. There are, however, no such men TO be
found In the medical profession--noDe worthy
OF the post OF sNgeon-Who would agree TO &c
cept commission refused by hghmnded and
insulted brother Of the same distinguished pro-
fession--a profession that embraces within It's
widereaching circuit some Of the most learned,
humane, and accomplished men in the country.
Shall such a profession--noble, dgnifed, and
talented-be insuted by supposing that any one
of its members will consent TO accept the place
which highly educated brother considers him
self dishonored in holdingl We repeat that we
are confident Congress will never agree to pass
the proposed alteraton--an alteration that every
medical gentleman in the country would con-
slider a personal insult 10 himself We think
the army officers Of the board much at fault, who
have thus arrayed the thousands Of physicians
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"
The presidents Progress" still furnishes the
theme for columns of sickening twattle and
mawkish toadyism in the Northern prints
Presidents and Premiers must take little tours