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
Francis Robinson, M.D.
Preliminary Letter,
The place of my nativity is Syracuse,
county of Onondaga, state of New York.
The date of my birth is the year
eighteen hundred and forty, the month of April, the day the 17th.
My place a study in preliminary
education has been in part in Collegiate Institute, in part at high
school. My course of study has been principally of the scientific and
mathematical. My classical education has been but slight. I have
pursued to some extent the study of the Latin and French. But I claim
no proficiency in those studies. Neither have I a knowledge of other
Languages than the English. In mathematical my studies have been –
Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry surveying –. In the scientific my
studies have been Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, with the
minor and earlier branches of the schools….
The study of Medicine I commenced at
Marcellus, N. York. With Dr Israel Parsons of that place, with him I
studied one year. Then with Dr. R. W. Pease of Syracuse for two years.
I attended lectures at the Medical Department of the University of
Michigan two terms and graduated at same college receiving my Diploma
March 25th 1863.. Between my first and second lecture terms
I was at the General Hospitals in + about Washington, at the Gen Hosp at
Falls Church, Virginia and at Harewood Hosp.. During which time I
applied myself to the practical operations of prescription and
surgery.. I have had something in the way of compounding medicines, but
little however aside from what comes in the way of the practitioner.
Have never been engaged in the drug buisnes [sic] in a mercantile way.
After graduating at college I
practiced medicine in Syracuse about four months, then went to Albany
before the medical board and was appointed 1st Assistant
Surgeon of the 15th N York Cavalry.
With my preceptors – Drs Pease (now
med inspector of Calvary Corps) and Parsons I had all the chances that
extensive practice would give.
My address is – Girard Hotel.
Philadelphia, Pa.
I am very respectfully,
Your obet serv't
J. F. Robinson Asst Surg,
U.S.A.
October 1st 1863.
Questions by the Board:
Questions to be answered in writing,
by J. F. Robinson, Actg Asst Surgn
U.S.A.
1. What is a fracture, + nature’s
mode of repairing it?
2. What is the difference between a
boil, + and anthrax?
3. What is Ergot, its dose, and mode
of administration?
4. Describe arsenous acid, its
source composition, effects, uses tests etc –
5. Describe the structure and
chemical composition of bone –
6. Give a classification of the
elements of food – write the directions for supporting a Typhoid fever
patient (in a low condition) for 24 hours, giving details as to
preparing the food etc –
7. Describe the urethra, its
dimensions, structure, diseases, + manner of passing on instrument into
the bladder.
8. What are the morbid appearances
of mucus + serous membranes?
9. What are the constituents of the
blood?
Answers by Robinson:
1. The fracture is forcible
seperation [sic, correction marks in pencil] of the constituent parts of
a bone. Between the sperated [sic correction marks in pencil] surfaces
of a fracture there is thrown out Lymph mingled with much blood..
Around the circumference of the fracture there is deposited a bony
encasement, holding for a time the fracture in place. This external
deposit is soon absorbed and there begins beneath the Periostium to be
formed true bone. The exudate in the center, first thrown out, is soon
absorbed and the formation of true bone goes in, advancing from the
Periostium untill [sic, correction marks in pencil] the continuity is
complete..
2 . Ergot is the product of the
Rye. It is a diseased product. The grains are from ½ to 1 inch in
length and from 1 to 2 lines in diameter. Blackish in appearance. The
dose of the powder is from grs xv to grs xx or xxv or it may be
administered in the form of a Tincture – ʓss to ʓi and ʓii or more,
according to the case. Ergot is a stimulant – confined in its use to
the cases in which its action is required upon the Uterus – its action
being especially directed to that organ – Ergot is admissable [sic] in
these cases of labor in which there is tardy delivery from insufficient
power or action of the Uterus.. or in cases when the soft parts of the
mother are rigid or where the caliber of the passages are insufficient
for easy delivery – In neither case however is ergot admissable [sic,
correction marks in pencil] where there is no prospects of speedy
termination of the labor by its use – other treatment to the rigid parts
in the one case should preceed [sic, correction marks in pencil] the
administration of ergot – and a probable success in the Fetus [sic,
correction marks in pencil – probable “Fœtus”] passing through
insufficient calibre in the other must be expected –.
Structure + Chemical composition of
bone. Chemicaly [sic] bone is divided into the earthy and the
animal. The earthy is about 2/3ds part of the bone, the
animal 1/3d part –.. The earthy consisting of the Carbonate
+ Phosphate of Lime, the animal consisting of fibres.
The bone as also divided into
cellular or spongy and into compact substances, not differing however in
ultimate structure – in the characteristic structure which must obtain
to constitute true bone –. Throughout the bone and running in the
direction of its length are minute canals named Haversion [sic] canals,
they communicate with each other by transverse or oblique (mostly
oblique) branches. These channels contained blood vessels – around the
Haversian canals are concentric Laminae or rings, call by some Haversian
rods – Running from the Haveraian canals transversely are minuter [sic]
channels terminating in minute cavities – these smaller channels are
called canaliculi.. The cavities are termed Lucunae.. Through the
Haversian canals, the canaliculi and Lucunae are supplied the nutriment
to the bone. The laminae are earthy + animal. The animal consisting of
Fibres.. The fibres of the laminae are in different layers, the fibers
in each layer being parallel by the different layers intersecting at
acute angles.. The cellular tissue of the bone deffers [sic] in no way
in the above mentioned particulars from the compact, differing only in
the amount of substance contained in a given space..
In the long bone the spongy structure
occupies the centre and approach nearer the surface toward the
extremities of the same. In the other bones, the short – flat – and
irregular, the cellular structure is in the centre –.. In the centre of
the long bones are cavities or canals – the medulary [sic] canal lined
by the medulary [sic] membrane –
Bone (continued)
The medulary [sic, correction marks
in pencil] canal is filled with fat – the external to the bone is the
Periostium – the bone producing membrane –. In early life the bone is
cartilage, or rather the part serving the purpose
afterward supplied by the bone is cartilage. The cartilage becoming
ossified the bone then grows by deposit from the Periostium. Blood
vessels from the Periostium being successively covered and by the
deposit – making thus the Haversian canals.. – at some point on the bone
exists a foramen for transmission of artery supplying the medulary [sic]
membrane.. In the long bones this foramen is near the middle of its
length. In the long bones a nerve accompanies the artery and vein, in
which case amputation may or may not be painful according as a limb is
amputated above or below the entrance of the nerve.. If above, sawing
through the bone will cause no pain because the nerves supplying the
medulary [sic] membrane – has already been cut in cutting through the
soft parts, and the connection with sensorium is divided. The Haversian
canals – the canaliculi – the Lucunae – the concentric Laminae with its
microscopic fibers and their peculiar arrangement of the elements
constituting true bone – a structure different from this is not bone
hands – Hence the teeth – the various bone calcareous deposits in
various parts of the body are said to be bony deposits but not bone,
because not passing [correction marks in pencil] the characteristic
features above mentioned.
Difference between a Boil + an
Anthrax. A Boil is in inflamatory [sic, correction marks in
pencil] affection affecting the integument. It consists of the usual
irritation – determination – congestion – exudation and suppuration of
inflamation [sic correction marks in pencil], with heat, redness, pain,
swelling, forming small abscess and opening upon the surface discharges
its contents and heals. An Anthrax is a larger
inflamation [sic correction marks in
pencil] with a low grade of action, or unhealthy action dependent on
constitutional affection.. It is an inflamation [sic correction marks
in pencil] difficult to heal, requiring constitutional remedies many
times..
Arsenious acid has the composition
of, As.O3. It is obtained from its combination with the different
metals of Nickel, Cobalt, Iron. It may be found also in some mineral
waters. It is the common arsenic of the shops.. Its effects on the
system are stimulant and poisonous.. Coming under that description of a
poison, that a poison is a substance which without reference to its
quantity produces death by its own inherent qualities.. In its
stimulant action it is especialy [sic, correction marks in pencil]
directed toward the skin – and is used in some skin disorders.
The tests for Arsenious acid our
various – one of which is March’s [sic, correction marks in pencil,
“Marsh’s”] test. By the blow pipe..
The solution being put in a retoit
and a Hydro-chloric Acid being added with pieces of metallic zinc and
closed by stoppers with blow pipe attached + there will issue from
blowpipe Arseniuretted Hydrogen, which gas may be lighted, the Hydrogen
being burned – forming a water and metallic arsenic deposited on any
piece of earthen ware –... The reactions in this test viz
Sol of aresenious acid
As.O.3HO + HCl + Zn = As.H + ZnO + H
As.O3.HO + HCl + Zn = As.H
+ 4(ZnO) + HCl
As.H issues out blow pipe –
HO. H – unites with O to form water
As is deposited on plate – Black –
–
Classification of the Elements of
food.
We may make four divisions of
aliment –
1st The albuminoid – food
containing Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, called also the
Nitrogenous, it’s important element being Nitrogen.
2nd Oleoginous – such as
contain much carbon and Hydrogen – substances supplying material for
combustion – for maintaining the animal Heat + Carbon and Hydrogen
combining with the oxygen in the blood forming Carbonic acid + water –
such as oils and fats –
3rd The Starchs –
substances containing starch
Starch being convertible into sugar
in the Duodenum, or when it meets with Bile and pancreatic juices,
supposed also to be changed somewhat on it [sic] way to sugar in the
mouth while saliva is acting upon it – but ceases upon entering the
stomach – commencing again on entering the Bowel. The sugar ultimately
supplying the material for combustion, our purpose of it at least –.. 4th
The Sacharine [sic] –
Supporting treatment in Typhoid Fever
–
The condition in Typhoid Fever is
prostration and exhaustion requiring the most nourishing food – such as
are easily convertible into the tissues of
the body –. The Albuminoid are the ones to be chosen for
this purpose.. Such as Beef tea, egg, hog, Wine Whey, etc.
Directions — Boil with gentle
heat 1 lb Beef cut into fine pieces with one Pint of water. Boil down
to O ss. Give to
patient every 4 hours ℥
iii or more according as he can bear
Rx eggs No 6
Vini Gallici Oss
milk O i
M. ft mist – boil gently – S
℥ iii
every 3 or 4 hours.
The Urethra, dimensions – structure –
manner of passing an instrument into the bladder.
The urethra extends from the neck of
the bladder to the extremity of the Glan Penis – its dimension are while
passing through Prostatic gland – about one and a half or two inches –
the membranous portion about one half inch from bulb of urethra led to
glans penis 4 to 6 inches – in which it varies at different points –
near the orifice in Glans Penis there is an enlargement – the Fossa
Navicularis – at the bulbous portion there is an enlargement – the rest
of the track is about 2, 3 or 4 times in diameter..
Its diseases are inflamations [sic] –
stricture – gonorrheal inflamation [sic].. The manner of conducting an
instrumentation into the bladder is to follow that course of the
urethra, it is necessary to be cautious at the bulbous portion lest the
instrument get caught and lacerates the bulbous portion through. Enter
it perpendicular – then depress the end without raising again at the
point of entrance into the bladder –
Morbid appearances of the mucous and
serous membrane –
Slight degree of inflamation [sic] of
both causes increased redness.. More intense inflammation of mucous
surface causes a darker appearance than the serous membranes, Disease of
mucous surface gives a different appearance from the serous on account
of the different glands situated in mucous surface –. Inflammation of
serous membrane presents a more regular appearance, mucous membrane may
appear different in different places.
Constituents of the blood..
The blood is made up of a solid and a
liquid [unclear] – water, about 720, corpuscles 160 – fibrin 3 to 5,
salts and extractive matters. The corpuscles of the white and the red.
The red are the smaller, but the more numerous. The blood is otherwise
divided into Liquor Sanguinis – and Clot.
The Liquor Sanguinis consisting of
water with the salts and extractive matters.. The clot consisting of
the corpuscles and fibrin.
I am,
Respectfully,
Your Ob’t Serv’t
J.F. Robinson, Assistant Surgeon,
U.S.A.
October 3rd,
1863
