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)
(The actual written exam photos are available, but not presented on
these pages due to the size of the files. An example 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: George F. Brickett, M.D.
Navy Yard Boston
June 21, 1863
Dear Doctor
I was born at Concord N. H. July 19,
1835, received my education at New Hampton N. H. academical. I received
my medical instruction of Dr. S. M. Emery of Boscawen N.H. attended two
courses of lectures at Dart. Coll. while then was under the instruction
of E. R. Peaslee M.D. Graduated Dart. Coll. 1857.
Respectfully
G. F. Brickett
Surgeon W.S.W Ruschenberger
[Comment in pencil on this
exam]: This is a third effort. Supposes himself to be well informed
upon points about which he has no knowledge whatever.
Questions by the Board:
Dr. George F Brickett is requested to
write answers to the following questions.
1. What blood
vessels are divided by amputating the leg at its upper third?
2. What symptoms
distinguished concussion from compression of the brain?
3. What substances
result from the chemical combination of oxygen and nitrogen?
4. Name the
officinal preparations of opium, with a dose of each?
5. What is the use
of the kidneys?
6. What changes
are induced in atmospheric air by respiration?
Answers by Brickett:
1. Popliteal artery is the principle
artery.
2 .Concussion the patient becomes
comatose, more or less delirium, pulse mute, vision impaired.
In compression patient
complains of headache, pulse quick, loss of appetite.
Concussion happens from some
sudden below. Compression from a fracture, or enlarged blood vessel.
3. Air
4. [unclear] opii dose gram j
Tinct opii dose Drops XXV
Each dram of Tinct opii contains 4½
grains of opii
Dovers powder – every 10 grains
contains 1 grain opii. Dose of Dovers powder is 10 grains.
Tinct. opii camphor dose 3ʓ each
dram contains ½ grains opii
Ext opii Dose passed that of
[unclear] opii.
5, The kidneys are for secretion of
urine.
6. Carbonic acid gas results
G. F. Brickett
Navy Yard Boston
June 21, 1863
