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 F. Hurley, M.D.
Charlestown, June 18, 1863.
Dr. Ruschenberger,
Surgeon U.S. Navy.
In compliance with the regulations
requiring a short biography of the candidate presenting himself for
examination. I therefore submit to the rule. Born into this world
about 10 o’clock P.M. January 29 inst. year 1838 in the city of Boston.
Attended the Primary and Grammar Schools until the age of fourteen. I
then removed to Troy, N.Y. where I entered an Academy preparatory to
commencing my collegiate course. I remained in the above institution
two years. And then became a student of Saint Marys College, Montreal,
C. E. where I remained a period of four years. The remaining interval
of time, I spent in the College Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass. I then
made a trip to Europe and resided in France almost fifteen months. I
commenced my Medical Studies in the fall of 1859 at the winter Session
of Harvard Medical School, in connection with Dr. J. G. Blake of Boston
as my medical preceptor. Since that period I have attended the full
courses required, namely the term of three years. I am not a graduate,
but will make application the sixth day of July next for my Medical
degree at the Summer Session of the Medical Department of Harvard
University.
Yours Respectfully,
John F. Hurley.
Dr. Ruschenberger.
Surgeon U.S. Navy.
Questions by the Board:
Dr. John F Hurley is requested to
write answers to the following questions.
1. What is the
origin, course and distribution of the femoral artery?
2. What are the
diagnostic symptoms of pneumonia?
3. Name the salts
and officinal preparations which contain potassium?
4. Where the
physical properties of hydrogen, and how was it obtained in separate
state?
5. What is the
office of the kidneys?
6. What are the
peculiar characters of gunshot wounds?
Answers by Hurley:
1 It arises from the abdominal aorta
+ is a branch from the external Iliac Artery and pursues its course
through the side of the pelvis and makes its exit at the pubis. it
gives off branches of the pudic and profunda arteries, extends down the
thigh and finally becomes the popliteal artery.
2 Pneumonia is inflammation of the
spongy tissue of the lungs. There are different varieties of the
disease according to the part In bald whether it be one whole lobe or
lung or a part of both lungs whence it receives the name of double
Pneumonia. Where the air cells are affected, it is called vessicular
[sic] Pneum. And various other appilations [sic] according to the organ
affected. Their of three distinct Stages in Pneumonia, first that of
congestion in which upon examination of the lung is found of a deepened
colour. it does not crepitate on pressure, and a frothy Serum is seen
when cut into. In the second Stage of the disease it is known by the
term of Hepatization or Softening. it is now of a reddish or grayish
colour, absence of crepitation and denser than in first Stage. The
third Stage is call Suppuration. it now presents a yellow appearance,
it is very soft, abscesses are said to form in the long but I should
think it of rare occurrence as the patient would die before the period
of this stage. Symptoms. Begins usually with chill, difficult
breathing, pain in the region of the chest + back part of the chest.
When the disease has fully declared itself there is viscid
expectorations, occupying only a portion of the lungs and in good
constitution I think the chances would be favorable. There would be
more danger when the both lungs were implicated. In patients of a
serofulous character it would be considered fatal. Other alarming
symptoms would be difficult respiration inability to lie down, night
Sweats, dark expectorations and feeble irregular pulse. It might be
confounded with Bronchitis, Phthisis, Pulmonary oedema, and Pleurisy, it
differs from the first namely Bronchitis from the pain not being so
severe, the expectoration bloody but not rusty, no nights sweats. The
other diseases all have their own peculiar signs to distinguish them.
Causes. changes of weather the most frequent cause, exposure to cold
after the body has been heated, uses of the voice, violent exercise,
poisons taken into the system, etc, it is also a very frequent attendant
from Small Pox, Scarlet Fever, measles. Treatment. By bleeding, if the
patient was vigorous. cathartics, such as Pil Cath Comp, Sennae, Jalep
etc. opium, Ipecauanha, calomel, expectorants, syrup Scillae, Ipecac,
morph Sulph, Senegas, etc, local applications, such as counter irritants
to the chest for pain, cups, leeches oil Turpentines commencing
generally at the beginning of Spring until the end of Summer, generally
attacks men more than women. from the age of 20 to 35. Although
children are effected [sic] but another form of the disease.
3. There is the Chlorate
of Potash, Acetate of Potash, Iodide of Potash, Carbonate, Sulphate +
Nitrate, Salts lead [?] + copper.
4. Hydrogen constitutes a fifth of
the atmosphere. it is a colorless tasteless gas highly inflammable and
burns with a blue flame. It is obtained by passing it through water I
think + by evaporation.
5. The kidneys are the organs which
carry and eliminate the urinary secretions + deposits.
6. Gun shot wounds vary exceedingly
in their character. They may bury themselves deep in the cellular
tissue, or merely cause slight abrasions of the surface. A great deal
depends upon the kind of projectile used. The point of exit is gently
larger than that of entrance. A person being struck, is said not to
feel the effects for some time. It generally leaves a wound pale + blue
discoloration of the skin with the lips of the wound inverted. it
rarely unites by first intention, but is filled up by granulations. On
seeing a gun shot wound the first plan is to clean the parts and if the
ball can be felt to extract if it at once if painful give ether to the
patient. After apply cold water dressing lint and in a few days when
the inflammation has subsided put in [unclear]. There is generally
little Hemorrhage. Should the arteries and veins be lacerated, there
remains no alternative but amputation.
John F. Hurley.
Navy Yard Boston.
June 18th 1863.
