Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-06
SURGEONS REBUKED
BY GEN. DOUGHERTY,
OF NATIONAL GUARD
Disobeyed Orders in Failing
TO Prepare for Examina-
tions in Manner Pre-
scnbed.

Failure on the part Of some officers
Of the Medical Department to take ex-
aminstions In harmony with work of
similar nature that is being conducted
for officers of other departments OF the
National Guard OF Pennsylvania has
caused Major General c. Bow Dougherty
to rebuke them officially in a circular
Issued from his headquarters
The conditions Of the test were not diff
feuit. Not only were the text books to
be consulted recommended, but par
hculsr paragraphs suggested, and it only
remained for the officer to refer to the
proper sources to answer the questions.
OF tbr So officers of the Medical De-
partment to whom the questions were
tssued Is, or A per cent, completed the two
courses satisfactorily and some had per-
feet marks. Eleven, or 20 per cent, an
swered only the questions OF the first
years course, and H. or 80 per cent,
paid no attention 20 orders whatever.
The course, as outlined by the four Of
noers of the Medical Department detailed,
was prepared in such a manner that the
subjects were selected with considerable
care, with the object of imparting a
practical working knowledge of a medical
oficer's duties.
soME MADE HIGH AVERAGES
General Dougherty said he realized that
many Of the officers were busy practltion-
ers, but some OF the surgeons having
large practices and numerous other obll-
cations found time to reply to both
courses and made excellent averages. A
hrst lieutenant and assistant surgeon ap-
pointed last January had general aver
are OF 9e.6.
During the coming winter and spring he
proposes to continue the correspondence
course of instruction of medical officers
by dividing it into two periods, termlng
them first year" and "second year" The
questions for the first-year course will be
issued on or about January 1, and tho
second-year course March 1, 1915, both to
be concluded on May l. Those whose gem
eral averages were 20 or more for both
years courses during the past season will
be exempt from this years examination.
Those who will be required to take this
seasons course are the officers receiving
their commissions IN the Medical Depart
ment subsequent to the conclusion of the
1914 course the officers who paid no at
tention to his original order. and those
whose general average was below 10.
GENERAL ORDER TO BE ISSUED.
At an early date a general order will
be issued 20 the medical officers for this
seasons course OF instruction.
General Dougherty does not spare any
words in impressing upon the surgeons
tho Importance OF following up the course
prescribed. He says:
'Ehicien@y In che medical department
of the National Guard of Pennsylvania
0nIv oh lrpn NJ
its intelligent application by the officer
and soldier who is obedient to orders.
The study and research necessary to at
tain a satisfactory average In the courses
prescribed adds much to the mental
equipment so necessary TO the proper per-
1ormance OF duty.
The general government and the Stats
desire that every onicer shall approx
mate as near perfect as possible. These
courses of instruction and subsequent
examinations furnish tangible evidence
as far as they Co. Through these and
other records the placing OF responsibility
and trust becomes more than a matter
or opinion or expedIency.
THE army surgeon must be a good
physician and something else besides, for
he must be submissive to military diHci-
pline. adapt himself to military circum-
stances and conditions, become proficient
in many things that are pertinent to and
part OF the service and acquire a knowl-
edge OF customs and usages, sanitation
and hygiene, both camp and personal
military medicine and surgery. TO say
nothing OF what seems insurmountable
difficulties to a practitioner-books and
papers.
"The courses prepared for the year are
called to the attention OF all concerned
with the view of having them prepare
their minds for the period which must be
devoted to preparation for the examlna-
kions which are TO follow"