The semi-weekly messenger., 1898-09-06

Chicago, September 1.-The Journal
of the American Medical Association.
edited by DR.. John B. Hamilton, Will
print tomorrow an article by Lieuten-
ant Colonel Nicholas Sem, L. S. V,
chief of the operating staff with the
army in the field, entitled The Quail
ificatiOns and Duties of the Military
Surgeon" Colonel Sem says
Nearly five months Of continuous
service with the army in the camp and
field has afforded me an excellent op-
portunity to make a practical study of
this subject. This time was spent in
Camp Tanner, Springfield H.; Camp
Gearge II. Thomas, Chickamauga, Ga,
and the Cuban campaign, the time be-
ing about equally divided in the diff
ferent places.
The first four weeks were occupied
in Camp Tanner, where l assisted in
the capacity of surgeon general Of the
state in the organization of state
troops. This service brought me into
closer contact with the national guard
Of our state than at any time before.
A physical and professional examina-
ton, in which | took part, brought out
the shady as well as the sunny side
of their qualifications. The result of
my experience here convinced me that
the average national guard surgeon is
a. faithful doctor, with more than av-
erage professional ability, but, with
few exceptions, lacking the necessary
military training in performing salts
factorily his administrative duties.
The four weeks service at Camp
George Fl. Thomas, as chief surgeon of
the Sixth corps, opened up a wide field
for extended observation in making
Omparisons between the work done by
the surgeons of the regular army and
of the national guard. The surgeons
of the United States army are all
men of superior education, splendid
physical development, and those who
have been in the service for several
years are well versed in the routine
work Of the medical department. How
ever, in all matters pertaining to med
iCine and surgery the average national
guard surgeon more than holds his
own. This superiority of the national
guard surgeon over his colleague Of
the regular army is no reflection on
the latter, it is the natural outcome of
circumstances which make such a diff
ference inevitable.
The eXdcting and often OnerOus du-
ueS OF tne nlllltafy surgeon IN IlfneS
of war reqcire special qualifications to
prepare and fit him for his work. He
is not only expected to be we'll versed
in theoretical and practical knowledge
of everything pertaining to the prac-
iiCe Of medicine and surgery, but he
must be endowed with qualities both
of mind and body upon which he can
rely when engaged under the most try
ing circumstances.
The physical condition OF the mill
tary surgeon must be as nearly per-
feet as possible. During my service
at ChickamaUga and in the Cuban
campaign, | saw more than one vol
Unteer surgeon who ought to have been
excluded from the service for physical
disability. During the campaign the
loss of a single medical officer may
prove a great disaster. OF all COM
miSSiOned officers the surgeon is the
most indispensable. His position is one
requiring special trainin. Ind one that
cannot be filled without gripping the
medical service at some other point.
For this if for no other reason, the
: medical officer must be in sound health
and able to cope successfully with the
hardships of a campaign.
"A proper and adequate preliminary
eduCa ton is exacted of every surgeon
in the regular army: without it he is