New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-26
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
THE CASE OF CAPTAIN MINOR.
REFORM BEGUN BY THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
OF THE NAVY.
rrY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.1

fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNEj
Wellington June o3.-Thc preparation AT the state
Departnent Of instructions to Mr.. Eayaid TO make
,nnu,rtcs as TO the condition Of Captain W. &.
Minor a retired officer Of the army bring to HIGHT
a numb,r Of interesting facts relating to that I'M
t.r,una,e officers case. Excepting few officials
srs some of his early Comrades in the army. few
nersops are aware that Captain Minor Is confined
for ufc In the Broad Moor Lunatic Asylum, England
as nuuishucni for the crime Of murder Previous
,o his conviction and confinement In England, Cap
tain Minor had been an inmate OF an insane asylum
IN This country, but his condition having improved
ee received leave Of absence TO 60 abroad. His
ss,nsion seemed to be that persons unknown to him
entered his bedroom at night for the purpose Of
ANNOYING injurinS him. Ills friends. Of course,
thought his statements visionary. In order that
no might displ their doubts, the captain procured
revolver Intending to kill his supposed enemy. The
haucination returned shortly after HIS arrival in
England and he made preparations to get rid Of
his pursucr. One night. awaking with start he
fancied that he IN lis room the man who had
annoyed him at home. Dashing into the street he
cred upon and killed the first man he met, be-
lieving as he stated his trial, that the man
assaulted was the one who escaped from his bed
chamber only few seconds before. That the cap
tain was insane. and that his victim limo
cent laborer on his way to work, WIS developed al
the trial The records Of BroadmoOr Asylum show
that the captain became inmate OH April Il,
1872. A curious feature Of the is the fact
that the officer Is still borne on the rolls Of the
army Every quarter his pay is forwarded to H. f.
Re. OF ~twliaven, his legal representative. At
last accounts he was still insane. He ap-
pointed In the army from New-Yorf as assistant
su gcon February 20, 1866, and retired from
active service on December H. 1870 His disa-
tty was brain trouble. due TO the effect Of sun
stroke.
Evidences of progress in the Offices of the Surgeons
1oftb o
manifest There criticism % Presi-
dents action In promoting Medical Inspector Tryon
and Colonel Sernberg over the heads Of a number OF
seniors. but 1t is apparent that for practical re-
suits, the selections wisely made Sur-eon-tien
eral TryOn has already accomplished much toward
putting his corps on n footing commensurate with
modern naval requirements. Not the least in i'm
Icrtance Of the changes made those relating 10
school OF application for young surgeons and In the
system Of examining officers who fail physically when
before board for examination for 'otion. Medi-
cal Officers. upon entering the navy, will rclftcr
through practical course Of instruct Al tn naval
laboratory in New-York, where the school of aEp-
cation will be established Heretofore these officers
were direct TO vessels where facilities for their
training few. Particular attention will be given
to instruction OF young officers sent to the school
In chemistry and microscopy subjects in which naval
surgeons not rule. well grounded Medical
Director Bloodgood. in charge OF the laboratory
August. when, upon his rctir ment. he will be
ceeaed by Medical Director Wells. The change in the
mode OF examining officer Is wise and just one.
in the pat officers who were rejected
BY an examining board account Of supposed
physical defects subsequently Examined for retire
ment by the same surgeons who had previously found
them deficient. Hereafter separate board will ex
anime officers for retirement Surgcon-tienera stern
berg has instituted two important changes One Is
the establishment Of an army medical school AZ Wash
tngton where special courses for medical officers VIII
be pursued. The school is 10 have regular
corps OF instructors who to be selected on account
of special fitness for the work. Particular attention
Is be given 10 the practical duties Of officers In tne
of war and peace, the field and in the hospital
The school will also embrace departments Of military
surgery military hygiene. and clinical and sanitary
study Of germ diseases. their prevention and cure
Ofcers OF the medical corps. irrespective OF rank
will be assigned to duty at the school The other
changes relate the detail Of officers attending
surgeons In large cities. 1t has been the custom
heretofore to assign older officers TO this duty Here
after younger officers having the rank of captain will
be selected to attend the sick in Sew-York, Boston,
PHILADELPHIA Chicago ST. Louis and san Francisco.
senior officers who have had this work Will be de-
tailed duty the large military posts Is be
Neyed that the change Will be beneficial 10 all con
cerned II will certainly enable younger officers. who
need the experience 10 avail themselves OF the splendi
Opportunities for study and practice only 10 be found
In the large cities.