The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-05

The HEALTH or oUE ARMY-I have had much re-
lucance in exposing the defects in the medical depart
ment of the army, because Of the tendency already
strong in the public mind attach uudeseryed
sure the profession of which am member but my
medical brethren will justify in the declaration that
physicians not qualified for conducting military hos
pitfalls by educstion alone. 4 medical board may be-
come satisfied with the requirements Of Young men ex-
amined by them, and the larger portion may be very
deficient in experience and skill and in qualifications for
conducting hospital in regard to its organisation disci-
pline and cleanliness. Without these no hospital is
safe place for sick man. Besides the physician may
be deficient in ability to inspire confidence and secure
contentment in the minds of his patients by his CON
ciatory and encouraging department and conversation
In an army constituted like OURS this qualification is Of
the highest Importance for young men, accustomed to
the comforts Of home, in the midst OF their own kim
dred nearly always becoming diSpirited by long con
hnement i'll camp and especially when enfeebleG by
disease and transferred from the cheerful society Of
their messmaes to the gloomy wards of the mil-
try hospital and deprived of all hope of participating
in the active duties Of the field.
The medical profession will concur in the opinion
frequently expressed that diseases considered culabe
are necessarily fatal in hospital than in private
practice. My own opinion, founded on much expert
ence IN both is, that great advantage is given by the
hospital IN which the physician has it in his power to
repeat his prescriptions frequently aud to keep
both the patients and attendants under better control
Inc frghtlu amount OF mortality in army from the
prevalence OF diseases orbit ary curable therefore, can
be attributed only to the fact that in many Of rhosp
tails the men have been placed in incompetent hands
1t is more important, then that proper medical aid
should be provided, than that extraordinary efforts
should be made to furnish the sick with uxuries many Of
which are not needed,and more msappIed. Skiful
prescriptions, with abundant supplies OF cold and
corn-men Cruel Of greater importance to the sick
soldier than any quantity OF the most costly Injuries
that can be furnished To supply hospitals with
the latter, without due regard the former is to add
materially to the evils and fatalities of war.
1t would be an easy matter for congress to adopt
measures for placing every hospital in charge OF com
petent surgeon The patriotism OF the profession is
not to be doubted but experienced and successful ply
scians are not likely, with few exceptions, to submit
themselves to examinations intended for Doyces They
have nothing to give i'll the way Of houors, aud are
certain 70 become losers in regard to profits by army
appointments and the country desires their services
It must ask for them, persons in private life do when
they wish to place themselves families in skillful
hands May we hope that some member of tile new
congress will give lis attention to thsimporant subject?
A. 2. MERRILL
! .