New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-13
THE NAVY MEDICAL SERVICE.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Although your editorial on Quarter
Deck Privileges" true TO the whole spirit OF oppo
stOn to the Improvement OF the medical corps 10 was
partly in error the single fact that medical officers
are excluded from tho privileges OF the quarterd deck
There is portion OF tho quarterback reserved for tho
officers doing tho duty OF the ship and from this all OIL
GERS are properly, excluded, and sometimes arbitrary
commanders have made this exclusion more general and
generally do not hold themselves superior to social
and friendly relations with their medical brethren;
known each Others service, there arc relations
OF conhdng friendship ana OF sympathy WIN
service and these gentlemen have the respect OF the
medical corps and Of the medical profession at large
The opposition to Improvement lne EhGie wony ann an
who TO their own rank, exait It's nature, and
mistake It's not sure 81 m Tsa un sss
the persons who for argument against prlncple suDsi
tute vulgar and contemptnous expressions against nd
yiduals and professions Against such the medical oicer
needs tho protection OF rank
What are practically the influences which drive Dedi
cal from the navy They can be told In lew words
The annoy Of spboard e very great but they
are shared by ALL The line officer as he progresses aud
advances In years. has them diminished by better apart
ments and more equal associates progressive titles GER
ty his progressive service To the medical ocer there
10 change OF place. The Same crowded apartment he
occupies as assistant surgeon he stu occupies after 10
years service. and is doing tho responsible duty OF
ful habits and tastes are u1c0ngenia TO his
years. This is tho great horror. ana amy any Iegls.
shpbonrd accommodations, and association moro
genial to his years will fail OF remedylng existing oyls
ANY legislation which does not involve the radical prnc
pies Is temporary quackery, and VIII give no per-
manent relief, After the medical onicer reaches ne
grade Of Surgeon there IA medical title to Indicate his
advancing service and higher duties lie may be sur
geon In title after two years seryiceho can nave no
other designation after 20 more years service That
he has done important dutes and ned hlgh professional
positions is ignored by this fact The duties OF medical
officers OF the navy are not generally understood They
administrative as well professional There are
now on the navy st surgeons who have been more than
once Fleet Surgeons OF war s1nadfons-Wno "a
sueh have had charge OF the whole medical de-
partments Of souadrons Din the Rebeon Of 50 vessels
to control and direct the OF their medca iorce 10
provide for and dsburse the largo amount OF necessary
MATERIAL and 70 tuperntend three hospitals az the
same time While thoso who served as mlusnphen win
these gentlemen are commodores and adirals, the old
medical ofcer remains A the surgeon. with no dcsgns
ton 10 chow what his services have been and ai,er
or more years service the highest pay he can reach on
duty Is 1850 year, unless he is doing duty NJ sea-
THESE are certainly not very lnYiupg Iewyru' TOT }
young able, and honornbly ambitious modieai men, All
That was asked for ramsy thew was medical