The
following is a dictated translation of the hand-written application to
the U. S. Navy Examination Board during the Civil War by a civilian
physician/surgeon for a position as a medical officer in the Federal
Navy or for promotion to Assistant Surgeon by an Acting Assistant
Surgeon. The actual
applications are in the possession of the author and presented to
enlighten the general public and other researchers as to the education
process before and during the Civil War, the personal history of the
applicants, as well as to show their personal level of medical knowledge
in answering the questions asked by the Navy Board of Examiners.
(Some applicants failed to pass and did not serve or served in the Union
Army.)
This written presentation was first of a part of a two-part exam consisting of a written
exam and an oral exam.
Many of these applications are rich
with highly detailed medical content offering an interesting perspective
on the medical knowledge and practices of the period.
A broad sampling of these exams is presented to
give you a 'picture' of the type of applicant being examined and
admitted to or rejected by the Federal Navy in 1863. Much more detail
on the individuals and their personal and naval history will be
presented in a forth-coming book by Dr. Herman.
(The actual written exam photos are available, but not presented on
these pages due to the size of the files. An
example
of a hand-written exam is on the
'List of all Applicants' page)
If you have additional information or images for any of these
doctors, please
contact us.
A list with links to
all applicants in this survey of U.S. Navy Applicants for 1863
Example of a handwritten exam given by the Navy Examination Board
Applicant: John J. Gibson, M.D.
U.S. Naval Asylum,
Philadelphia, Sept. 2, 1863.
Gentlemen,
I received my commission as Assistant
Surgeon in the Navy July 18, 1860, it being dated July 4. Sept. 5,
received in order to report for a temporary duty at the New York Naval
Hospital, where I remained until Nov. 1, being then ordered to the U.S.
Ship “Cyane” of the Pacific Squadron, reporting on board that vessel
Dec. 11. June 6, 1861, I was ordered to the “Saranac,” and remained
there until Nov. 11, 1862. Was then ordered to the “Narrgansett,” and
remained attached to her until relieved and ordered to the U.S., April
5, 1863. I arrived at New York, April 25, May 16, was ordered to the
Receiving Ship “Princeton” at this place, to which vessel I still remain
attached.
I have seen twenty eight months sea
service, and a little over five months other duty, since I have been in
the Naval Service.
USS Cyane, Saranac, Narrgansett, Princeton,
Hartford, Oneida, De Soto
I am very respectfully,
John J. Gibson
Asst Surgeon, U.S.N.
Naval Board of Medical Examiners,
U.S. Naval Asylum,
Philadelphia.
Questions by the Board:
Questions to be answered in writing,
by Asst Surgeon, John J. Gibson, U.S.N.
1. How was the fœtus nourished in
utero?
2. What are the accidents or
injuries, which require amputation of the thigh?
3. In what form, + to what extent is
mercury prescribed for the cure of Syphilis?
4. Write the directions for making
the Decoctum Sarsaparillae Compositum (U.S) and a prescription (a
composite one) for Chronic Bronchitis without abbreviations.
5. How is the astringent
principle of vegetable kingdom isolated _+ what is its characters + uses
––
6. What are the source in
nature of Protein Compounds
7. What are the weight + dimensions
of the heart?
8. What are the symptoms of
pericarditis?
9 State the most approved treatment
of yellow fever.
Answers by Gibson:
1. Early by the vitellary matter
contained in the umbilical vesicle, later, it is supposed by the Liquor
Amnii. It may derive nutritive matter from the mother through the
placental circulation.
2. A compound fracture with
extensive laceration of the soft parts, or injury of the vessels or
nerve. A gunshot wound fracturing the bone.
3. In various forms. Mutter
recommended the protiodide, Gross thinks it too harsh prefers blue mass,
or calomel, or corrosive sublimate. It is employed to produce ptyalism
generally very slowly and just sufficient to show that the system is
under the influence of the remedy, except in Iritis when the
constitutional effect must be produced as quickly as possible.
4. It contains Sarsaparilla,
Guaiacum wood, Mezereon, and other ingredients which I do not remember.
The particular mode of preparation I do not remember.
Recipe,
Antimonii
et Potassae Tartratis grana duo
Liqua in paululo aquae ferventis et adde
Morphiae
Sulphatis granum umum
Mucilaginis Acaciae uncias octo
Misce.
Signa. A tablespoonful every two,
three, or four hours.
5. I do not know the process. It is
an acid and a pure astringent, may be used in all cases where that class
of remedies is indicated.
6. The nitrogenized constituents of
animals.
7. Weight 10 to 13 ounces. Three to
four inches in length, about 3 in breadth and thickness at largest part.
8. At first pain in region of heart,
friction sound on auscultation, irregularity of the hearts action, after
effusion, dullness on percussion over a space varying in size according
to amount of effusion.
9. I have not seen the disease.
Authors differ widely, some recommend a vigorous antiphlogistic course,
others a course almost entirely expectant. Medical man with whom I have
conversed on the subject, differ as much. The treatment seems as
unsettled as was a few years ago that of Cholera or Typhoid Fever. I am
utterly unable to describe which is the best treatment.
John J. Gibson, Ass’t Surgeon, U.S.N.
Syphilis:
Syphilis is a specific, contagious
disease, caused by contact of its matter with a mucus or excoriated
surface, manifesting itself primarily by ulcer of a peculiar kind
appearing generally first on the external organs of generation, and
followed by bubo; eruptions on the skin, and disease of mucous membrane,
disease of the fibrous, cartilaginous, and osseous structures, of the
eye, testis, etc. Of these, Chancre and Bubo are called Primary
(Gross), disease of the skin and mucous membrane Secondary, the others
Tertiary. The Chancre appears in five to ten days after the impure
connection, if there is an abrasion it may begin earlier, the Bubo
follows in two to three weeks after the appearance of the chancre, the
secondary symptoms in two to six months, the others in from three months
to as many years. Chancre is not necessarily succeeded by any other
symptoms, but it always precedes the others when they occur.
Neither is bubo a necessary preliminary to the secondary and tertiary
symptoms, and the latter may appear without being preceded by the
secondary.
Chancre is of two kinds, indurated
and non-indurated. The former is generally single, the latter
frequently multiple, whence it (the latter) is supposed to be self
propagating. The appearance of these ulcers is so characteristic, that
a person acquainted with it would not be liable to mistake.
Bubo is chancre of one or more
lymphatic glands of the groin, occurring always above Poupart’s
ligament, non-specific swellings occurring below.
The eruptions on the skin are divided
into six classes, Erythematous, Squamous, Vesicular, Pustular,
Tubercular and Papular. Of these the first three belonged to Secondary,
the last three to Tertiary Syphilis. They are diagnosed from
non-specific eruptions of a similar appearance, by the history of the
case, by the generally having a peculiar color around them, described as
coppery.
Disease of the mucous membrane
attacks the tongue, lining of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, or nasal
fossae. It consists of whitish patches below the epithelium, ulcers
with excavated edges and hardened bases, or an abscess is sometimes
formed in the body of the tongue. When the larynx is the seat of
disease, the cartilages will become involved, unless the disease is
arrested, when the mucous lining of the nose, the bones will be
involved.
Disease of the bones is in the form
of caries or Necrosis, those of the face, and subcutaneous ones, as the
tibia, olecranon of the ulnar, etc, being generally affected.
Syphilitic Iritis is known by the
history of the case. If doubtful, it should be treated as such. There
is great tendency to adhesion between the iris, and the capsule of the
lens.
Syphilitic disease of the testicle is
generally later in appearance than any other of the sequelae. It comes
usually in from two to three years after the primary symptoms. The
specific inflammation attacks the body of the testicle, involving the
seminiferous tubes, so that if both organs are attacked, impotence is
apt to result.
Condylamata, peculiar excrescences,
about the arms and genitals, are also a sequel [sic] of Syphilis.
In many of the sequelae of this
disease, there are no symptoms by which the surgeon can positively
determine the character of the case. The history will generally aid
materially in the diagnosis. If this be withheld the case is sometimes
very embarrassing.
The treatment a primary syphilis is
somewhat unsettled. The sore should be cauterized freely at as early a
date as possible. The employment of mercury is recommended by some, not
by others. As it is in inflammatory disease, the antiphlogistic regimen
is used according to circumstances. If Phagedenic, the system must be
supported by tonics and nutritious food. In this case at least all are
agreed that mercury must not be used. After the slough separates,
slightly stimulating lotions are employed.
A bubo is treated as an abscess in
any other location.
The specific treatment in the
Secondary and Tertiary forms consists in the administration of Iodide of
Potassium in doses gradually increased, until large quantities are given
daily. If obstinate, even the anti-mecurialists admit to use of that
remedy. Antimony is also recommended by some. In iritis, the pupil
must be kept dilated, to prevent adhesion. Condylamata are removed by
the knife or caustic, but are very apt to return. The diet and other
accessory treatment must vary according to the judgment of the surgeon,
and the circumstances of the case.
John J. Gibson
Ass’t Surgeon, U.S.N.
U.S. Naval Asylum,
Philadelphia,
September 2, 1863.
