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: Hiram Howard James, M.D.
To the Board convened at the Naval
Asylum Phila.
I was born in Durfield [sic, unknown
town] Cumberland County N.J. on the 11th day of July 1838.
At school I pursued the studies
taught in common schools – Spelling, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic,
Geography. At the Normal School Trenton N.J., which I attended two
years, the same branches were taught, with addition of Philosophy,
Geometry + Algebra. I have not studied the Classics Natural History nor
am I acquainted with any of the modern languages.
While residing at Budd’s Lake, N.J.
I commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John S. Cook, practicing at
Hackettstown, a town a few miles distant from Budd’s Lake. I have
attended two courses at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated at
the last commencement.
My opportunities for practicing
pharmacy + making myself acquainted with the physical properties of
drugs, have been very limited. My observation of the clinical service,
in connection with the University + the civil hospitals of the city, and
my residence in the Military Hospital at Newark N. J. during last
summer, together with the practice of surgery in Prof. Smiths Operating
room, have given me ordinary opportunities for observing the practice of
medicine + surgery.
My address at present is 218 Bridge
Avenue Camden N.J. When at home Budd’s Lake Morris County, N.J.
March 28th 1863.
Hiram H. James
Questions by the board:
Questions to be answered in writing,
by, Dr Hiram H. James
1. What is amaurosis, + how
distinguished from Cataract?
2. Describe the Inguinal canal.
3. What are the relations of the
Carotid Artery?
4. How is Bronchitis distinguished
from Pneumonia?
5. What is senna, + the preparations
used in medicine?
6. What is the diagnosis of Rubeola?
7. How would the forceps applied?
8. What is insanity?
9. How is Laryngotomy performed?
Answers by James:
1. Amaurosis is in affection of the
retina rendering it incapable of response to the stimulus of light hence
imperfect or complete loss of vision; while Cataract is an opacity of
the lense [sic] or the capsule which encloses it, and may readily be
seen by examination the eye.
2. The Inguinal canal is in opening
or passage way, made by the testicle it is descent into the scrotum. It
is from an inch to or inch + a half in length + extends obliquely
outwards + downwards passing through the transverse fascia + muscel
[sic, correction marks in pencil] the internal + external oblique
muscles. It commences at the internal abdominal ring + ends with the
external abdominal ring. The transverse facia [sic, correction marks in
pencil] is prolonged upon the cord, so that the internal ring in the
normal condition is not open.
3. The Carotid Artery lies beneath
the integument of the neck on a line with the sterno-cleido-mastoid
muscel [sic, correction marks in pencil]. It is included within a
sheath containing, (counting outwardly from the middle line of the body)
the carotid artery the Pneumogastric nerve + the internal Jugular vein.
The nerve is perhaps more behind than between the artery + vein.
4. Bronchitis is distinguished from
Pneumonia by the absence of the violent febrile excitement attended upon
pneumonia, there is not in bronchitis that rusty sputa of pneumonia. In
bronchitis as a general rule auscultation + percussion are not changed
while in pneumonia, after the first stage, there is, if the whole lung
is implicated, no respiration, + percussion is flat.
5. Senna is the leaves of Cassia
acutifolia and is a hydragogue cathartic medicine in doses of from 20 to
60 gr. It is used in compound infusion of senna.
In pill with Rheubarb [sic,
correction mark in pencil], + is used in what is called the black
draught – an infusion of sulphate of magnesia + senna not officinal in
U.S.Ph. When given alone it gripes, + is therefore gently administering
combination.
6. Rubeola is diagnosed by the
catarrhal symptoms by the injected eye + the appearance of the eruption
on the fourth day.
7. The forceps are applied to the
child’s head, either at the superior or inferior strait of the pelvis,
in a direction of the cervico-mental diameter of the head, by
introducing first the left or female blade with the left hand,
facilitating its introduction with the right. The right blade is then
taken in the right hand + induced upon the other + the right side of the
pelvis, + also upon the other side of the child’s head, then the blades
are brought together + locks.
8. Insanity is a loss of the mind,
or of the power of the will to control or direct the thoughts, a
delusion generally characterized by words + actions which plainly
indicate the reason has lost its harmonizing power.
9. Laryngotomy is performed by first
incising the skin + facia [sic, correction marks in pencil] + ligating
on either side the thyroid body + then cutting directly into the cavity
of the larynx between the ligatures.
Hiram H. James
Naval Asylum Phila.
March 30th 1863
Certificate of Physical Capacity
I declare on honor that, my health at
this time 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, hemorrhoids, nor am I
aware that there is any thing 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.
Hiram H. James
Candidate for the office of
Assist. Surgeon in the Navy
of the United States.
U.S. Navl Asylum, Phila.
March 28th 1863
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