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: Benjamin Franklin Bigelow
Navy Yard Charlestown Dec 3rd
1863
Sir
In accordance with your request I
have the honor to state the following in relation to myself.
I was born in Walpole Mass. July 31st
1842 and from the time in which I was old enough until 16 years of age
attended school constantly having attended 10 consecutive terms at an
academy.
In the commencement of my 17th
year I entered a drug store to learn the art of preparing and dispensing
medicines, and continued in the business until August 25th
1862 when I enlisted in the U.S. Army, received the appointment of
Hospital Steward, was ordered to the Mason U. S. Genl. Hospital for duty
where I have been, and am now stationed. During the time I have been
stationed in the Hospital I have studied under the direction of Dr. W.
E. Townsend, A.A. Surgeon U.S.A. in charge, + attended the fall winter
course of lectures 1862 + 3 at Harvard University and have always had
the full benefit of the practice in the Hospital in which I was station
as well as all the surgical cases in the Mass. Genl. Hospital.
While in a drug store for the first 2
years and 6 months I was with a practicing Physician and occupied my
spare time in the study of medicine. This sir is my whole history.
I have the honor to be
Your Obt. Servt
Benj. Franklin Bigelow
Hospital Steward U.S. Army
To: W.S.W. Ruchenberger U.S.
Navy
Navy Yard Boston Mass.
Questions by the Board:
Mr. Benjamin Franklin Bigelow is
requested to write answers to the following
questions? [sic]
1. What are the indications of
treatment in acute dysentery?
2. What organs are contained in the
cavity of the abdomen?
3. What arteries convey blood to the
brain?
4. What are the symptoms of
flatulent colic?
5. What are the officinal
preparations of the bony a?
6. What changes are produced in
atmospheric air by respiration?
Answers by Bigelow:
No. 1 In the first stages of
Acute Dysentery the preliminary treatment is to remove all irritating
substances by the use of emetics or saline cathartics, emmolient [sic]
drinks light diet + astringent in the more severe cases with excessive
sanguinous discharges and great general debility. Opium in different
forms to promote rest, allay inflammation and reduce secretion. Oil
Turpentine is sometimes beneficial in view of its tendency to allay
passive hemorrhage, tonics to sustain the strength of the system light
food, refrigerant drinks, Astringents, external irritation etc.
2 The organs contained in the
abdominal cavity are the Stomach, large and small Intestines, Liver,
Bladder, Kidneys, Spleen, pancreas, in the female the Uterus +
appendages.
3rd What arteries convey
the blood to the brain? the internal Carotids in front, the Vertebral
uniting to form the Basilic posteriorly, + the meningeal arteries, the
Carotids + Basilic uniting in the interior of the cranium to form the
circle of Willis from which small branches are given off.
4th What are the symptoms
of Flatulent Colic? the symptoms of flatulent colic pain in the
epigastrium, cramps, painfull [sic] errucations of wind, febrile
symptoms rigidity of the muscles, foecal accumulation.
5th What are the
officinal preparations of Ammonia the officinal preparations are the
Carbonate, the Hydro Chlorate or Sol. Ammoniac, Liq. Ammonia Fort. + Liq
Ammonia made from the Fort. by dilution in water. Phosphate Liq.
Ammonia Acitas or Spts. Monderoms formed by carb ammonia + acetic Acid
dil.
6th What changes are
produced in atmospheric air by are respiration 1st the
consuming of the oxygen contained in the air by its being absorbed by
the blood with which it comes in contact in the Lungs. 2nd
it is contaminated in consequence of the Carbonic acid eliminated from
the blood during the passage through the lungs and in tight rooms with
crowded assemblies of persons becomes almost incapable of supporting
respiration in consequence of the loss of Oxygen necessary to purify the
blood Langor [sic] Headache restless anus + famous being the symptoms
usually exhibited under such influence.
Benj. Franklin Bigelow
Navy Yard Boston
Dec 3rd
1863
