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: Francis C.
Belmana, M.D.
Charlestown Masstu
November 18, 1863
Sir:
I most respectfully ask
for admission in the Navy of the U.S. as Acting Assist Surgeon. I have
been educated in the Medical College of Barcelona in the years 1832, 33,
+ 34, and after four years of practice on that place. I joined the U.S.
Service as Surgeon Steward on board the U.S. Frigate Constitution and
since that time I have remained attached in the Medc Dept
of this Navy having had sufficient opportunities to acquire Practice. I
was born in Malaga (Spain) the December 11th 1818. I became
citizen of the U.S. in 1855 + hoping my servitude will be taken in
consideration my request will be granted.
I am Sir Very
Respectfully
Your obbt
servant
Francis C. Belmana
(Adress
[sic] P. O. Charlestown Masstu)
Surgeon, U. S. Navy
Yards
Charlestown Masstu
Questions by the Board:
Mr. Francis C
Belmana is requested to write Insist to the following questions.
1. Name a leading
auricle of each class of the materia medica?
2. Name the
organs which are situated in the cavity of the abdomen?
3. What is the
function of the kidneys?
4. What are the
diagnostic symptoms of flatulent colic?
5. What is the
composition of atmospheric air?
6. What blood
vessels are divided in amputation of the leg at its upper third.
Answers by Belmana:
1. Ginn [unclear]
Narcotic Ipecac. Emetic + Diaphoretic. Cinchona.
Tonic. Calomel. Cathartic
2. The Stomach.
Intestines. Liver. Gall-Bladder. Pancreas.
Bladder. Kidneys.
3. The Secretion of Urine.
4. Severe pain and distention of the
stomach + duodenum and about the Umbilical Region
5. Oxygen + Nitrogen.
6. The popliteal + Tibial arteries +
Sphenos [sic] + popliteal veins.
November 21, 1863
Francis C
Belmana
Editor's note: Belmana
was a Surgeon Steward on the USS Constitution prior to the war. He was
older (born in 1818 in Malaga, Spain). He states he went to med school
in Spain from 1833 - 5. He was given permission to examine for Acting
Asst Surg. He absolutely bombed the exam (if he wrote 50 words, that's
pushing it) and served the War from 12/31/1863 as a Surgeon Steward (an
enlisted rank). Served on the USS Ohio, Nipon and Casco.
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