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: Joseph Benson Parker, M.D.
I was born in Bloomfield Penn. am 22
years, 3 months, 15 days. I am a graduate of “Dickinson College”,
having taken a full course, including ancient and modern languages. In
July last I had conferred upon me the degree of A. M.
Immediately after completion of my
College course (July 1860), I commenced the study of Medicine, with a
Dr. Nichols then practicing in Carlisle Penn, with whom I remained some
five months. I then removed to Virginia and renewed my studies with Dr.
Richard McSherry of Martinsburg, Berkley [sic] Co. – I attended one full
course of lectures at the “Medical College of Virginia”, while there was
selected “Resident student” to “Belevue Hospital”, and at the close of
the course was examined and appointed Physician to the City “Alms House”
– The threatening state of affairs at this period induced me to abandon
Va. and I preceded to Baltimore City Md. where in the capacity of an
Act. Medical Cadet, I served at the Convalescent [?] Hospital, and
afterwards at the “Newton University Hospital” Lexington st. was here 3
months, and during that time compounded and dispensed medicines.
I then received permission to appear
for examination in Washinton D.C. for appointment as Medical Cadet
U.S.A. and being assigned was assigned to the “Campbell Hospital” near
that city – after remaining in Washington four months, at my own request
was ordered to the “Department of the West,” and was then assigned to
the “Lawson Gen. Hospital” Saint Louis Mo. a hospital entirely Surgical.
I remained in St. Louis three months
when I was granted permission by the Hon, Sec. of the Navy, to appear
before Surgeon Grier at the Naval Hospital Mound City Ill. for
examination for appointment as Act. Surgeon U.S. Navy, and being
approved was ordered to the Mississippi Squadron where, in the latter
capacity I have been since March last.
I am not a graduate, my service in
the Army and Navy preventing, such is my intention when an opportunity
offers
Address when at home
Carlisle, Cumberland Co. Penn.
Address in Philadelphia
912 Spruce st.
Respectfully Submitted
Joseph B. Parker,
A.
A. Surg. U.S.N.
To
Examining Board
Naval Asylum
Phila.
Questions by the Board:
Questions to be answered in writing
by Dr. J. B. Parker [pasted onto page]
1. Give the coverings, + anatomical
structure of the testis.
2. What are the different forms of
Erysipelas, symptoms + treatment?
3. What are the morbid appearances
of Bright’s disease?
4. What a Sugar? give the
varieties, their composition in symbols, tests etc.
5. What is rhubarb? give the
Source, + physical character of the commercial varieties, + the Medical
Properties, preparations + uses of the drug – Write a prescription
without abbreviations –
6. Define, coughing, vomiting,
hiccup eructation + yawning and distinguish the difference of action
producing them –
7. Describe the operation of
Laryngotomy
8. Describe (succinctly) Dersault’s
apparatus for fracture of the clavicles.
9. What are the relations of the
carotid artery?
Answers by Parker:
1. Coverings of Testis – Skin,
Dartos, tunica vaginalis tunica albuginea, – Structure – composed of a
number of tubes called tubuli Seminiferi which form the vasa deferentia
– The proper substance is a pulpy mass, – The epididymitis is an
appendix to the testicle
2. Simple and Phlegmonous – The
symptoms are heat and pain in the part, often constitutional – headache
etc – redness disapear [sic, correction marks in pencil] under presure
[sic, correction marks in pencil] but immediately appears – there may be
œdema from obstruction to venous circulation. Treatment supposed to be
a disease of the blood and treated constitutionally and locally. The
Tincture Ferri chloridi, considered a specific and given three times
daily, frequently applied externally, also the Tr. Iodine, warm
applications to part + the general condition of patient attended to
3. Bright’s disease is a granular
degeneration of the kidney, and the morbid appearances are Sugar in
Wine, albumin, which in severe case presents a milky appearance
The usual symptoms of Nephritic
disease are complex etc, deep seated pain – lumbago, pain shooting down
the thigh.
4. Sugar is an organic principle,
abundant in nature it – two varieties, Cane Sugar C.12H.11O.11
+ Glucose or Grape Sugar C.12H.14O14 –
The most reliable test is Trommer’s,
which consists in adding to the suspected urine Liq. Potassae, Solution
of Cupri Sulp. untill [sic, correction marks in pencil] it give a slight
blue appearance, Suboxide of copper is thrown down, but this does not
interfere with the tests, as it is redisolved [sic, correction marks in
pencil], heat is then applied when if Sugar be present a dark brown
color will be the result.
5. Rhubarb is a product of the
Rheum palmatum a tree growing in Turkey – appears is light brown – odor
slight taste bitter – imported in pieces of small size – is cathartic
in doses of 20 or 30 gr. Laxatives in 5 or 10 gr.
Rx
Quinia
Sulphate gr. xij
Ferri
Persulphatis gr. x
Morphia Sulphas gr. ij
Misce et facit Pillulae No. x
Signa
– one ter die
6. Coughing is produced by a
contraction of the muscles of the thorax, with the aid of the diaphragm
to expell [sic, correction marks in pencil] foreign matter from the
Bronchia and Lungs.
Vomiting is caused by a contractions
of the muscular coat of the stomach when any irritating substance is
applied.
Hiccup is caused by a contraction
(spasmodic) of the diaphragm.
Eructation, contractions of
oesophagus.
Yawning, muscles of Pharynx
7. An incision should be made about
half an inch in length in the median line dividing the integument +
Crycoid [sic, correction marks in pencil] membrane. The sterno Thyroid
and Sterno Hyoid muscles should be held aside, care should be taken to
avoid wounding the Crico Thyroid artery – a perpendicular incision
should then be made in the larynx. If a vessels should be wounded
care should be taken to prevent the passage of blood. The incision is
commenced at the Thyroid cartilage and terminates at the Cricoid – a
crucial incision is also made.
8. Consists of two rings which are
passed around the shoulders, and a wedged shape pad in the axilla of the
fractured side. There is also a support for the forearm which is so
arranged by buckling to a strap passed over the sound shoulder.
9. Relations Carotid Artery – Sterno
Mastoid, Sterno Thyroid, Sterno Hyoid – Jugular vein, Pneumogastric
nerve 8th Descending noni nerve 9th pair – Stylo
Hyoid, Stylo Glossus, Inferior and middle constrictor muscles of Pharynx
– Orno Hyoid
Respectfully Submitted
Joseph B. Parker, A. A. Surg.
U.S.N.
Oct. 6th
1863.
I declare on honor that, my health at
this time is good and robust; and, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I am free from any accidental or constitutional defects, and
without any predisposition to Epilepsy, Phthisis, Gout, Apoplexy, or
chronic disease of any kind.
I am not at present affected with
varicocele, disease of the urinary organs, Hernia or Hemorrhoids; nor am
I aware that there is anything hereditary in my constitution, which
would hereafter be likely, to incapacitate me for the arduous duties of
a Medical Officer of the Navy.
All my organs of sense are without
imperfection
Joseph B. Parker
Candidate for the office of
Assistant Surgeon in the Navy of the
United States,
