Report and evidence into the pay, status and conditions of service of medical officers of the army, with evidence concerning the Indian Service.

  • Great Britain. War Office. Committee Appointed to Inquire into the Pay, Status, and Conditions of Service of Medical Officers of the Army.
Date:
1890
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report and evidence into the pay, status and conditions of service of medical officers of the army, with evidence concerning the Indian Service. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    surgery and midwifery, and confers upon the holder a complete qualification, and a license to practise in all the above subjects. It is true that the license of the Society of Apothecaries is not regarded in the medical profession, even under the new conditions, as equal to the licenses of the Royal Colleges. It is however equally true that the former is accepted by the State as a proof of competent medical and surgical knowledge, and that it entitles the holder to practise. Inasmuch as the State regards the Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries as a competent physician and surgeon, it would seem that, without some strong- reason, the State can hardly refuse to admit the same individual to the examination for entry into the Public Medical Service. The fundamental change made by the Act of 1886 appears to have been scarcely appreciated by those who think that the license of the Society of Apothecaries by itself is an insufficient certificate for candidates. We agree with the opinions expressed on this subject by Mr. Marshall, the President of the General Medical Council, and have to report, that in our opinion, there is no good reason for requiring candidates to produce at the entry examination a second diploma besides that of the Society of Apothecaries, if obtained under the conditions of the Act of 1886. ,8. Examinations for Promotion. We recommend that the examination for promotion from the rank of Surgeon to that of Surgeon-Major should be conducted by a mixed Board of Examiners; those in medicine and surgery being chosen from outside the medical service. This would entail some additional cost, but the examination, if altered as we propose, would be more satisfactory to the Officers, and also more beneficial to the Service. No medical degree, diploma, or other certificate of higher knowledge ought to exempt Officers from this examination. We recommend that examination for promotion to the ranks above that of Surgeon-Major be dispensed with. In promoting to the ranks of Brigade Surgeon, Deputy Surgeon-General and Surgeon-General, a preference should be given to Officers who have distinguished themselves by service in the field, in hospital, in epidemics, or in original research. We suggest that greater inducements should be held out to Medical Officers to improve themselves in the knowledge of their profession, and to keep themselves iti touch with the constantly recurring developments of medical science. We propose that once m every seven years a Medical Officer should be granted at least three months' leave in addition to, and independently of, his ordinary leave, on the distinct understanding that such period be spent either in attending a properly approved course of lectures, or in attendance at some large civil hospital, and further, that greater facilities should be given to Medical Officers for obtaining diplomas and high degrees in Medical Schools, or in the Universities, during their service in the Army. 9. Short Service. We cannot concur in a proposal that has been before recommended, which suggested the desirability of permitting a certain number of Medical Officers to enter the Army for a short term of service. The proposal was that these Medical Officers, after five or six years' service, should receive a gratuity of 5001. on leaving the Army. It seems to us obvious that a young Medical Officer on joining at 24, must of necessity be comparatively inexperienced, and that for the first year or two he is really learning his profession, and gradually becoming more efficient. We tliink that at about 29 to 30 he has gained much experience, and we cannot recommend a system, which at that age virtually would bribe him to leave the Army, and would supply his place by a young Medical Officer of 24. Such a system, if largely carried out, would, with reason, be objected to by the Army, as tending to place it almost permanently in the hands of Medical Officers of the least experience.