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: Daniel McLean, M.D.
Boston, Mass.
Septr 19th
1863.
Dr. Ruschenburger;
My dear Sir:
I was born in Prince Edward Island on
the 27th July 1835. My Studies commenced with a Mr.
Butler who was then and is still a “District Teacher” near the residents
of my Father. I also studied at the “Central Academy, Charlottetown,
P.E.I. under William Cundall, John Kenney and John Le Page Esqur __ The
said Academy is now known by the “Prince of Wale’s College.
My first Preceptor in Medical Studies
was Dr. John Knox, then a resident of Prince Edward Island; afterward I
studied with a Dr. Martin. After completing over three years with my
preceptors, I studied under the Professors of Harvard Medical College;
graduating there in March 1863.
Address D. McLean M.D.
Township, No. 48,
Prince Edward Island.
Respectfully Yours
\D. McLean
[Addendum note added in a different
hand]: address Dr. D. Mc Lean
care of Dr Ruschenberger
Navy Yard, Boston Mass.
Questions by the Board:
Dr. David McLean is requested to
write answers the following questions.
1. Name the
officinal preparations of opium and the dose of each? [sic]
2. What is
chyle and how was it formed?
3. Where, and
by what means is venous converted into arterial blood?
4. What are
the diagnostic symptoms of flatulent colic?
5. What parts
enter into the composition of the ankle joint?
6. What is
the meaning of the terms, “temperature”, “latent heat”, and “specific
gravity”. [sic]
1. Opium in
pill – Dose – grj
Tinct. Opii
– “ gtt xx-xxv
Vinum
“ – “ “ “
Morphia
Murias “ gr 1/6 – 1/4
“ Acetas “ 1/8 “
“ Shulphes “ “ “
[probably
Sulphas]
2. Chyle is formed from chyme by the
action of the bile and pancreatic juice or secretion upon it.
3. Venous blood is converted
into Arterial in the lungs. A great part of the oxygen in the air
inspired unites with the carbon in the blood – Carbonic acid passes off
from the lungs and the blood is rendered arterial.
4. Pain and tympanitis.
5. Tibia, fibula and tarsal
bones
6. “Temperature” indicates state
of the weather; also, heat of the body. “Latent heat” is that heat
which exists in bodies which is transmitted where acted on by a colder
body. “Specific gravity” means weight.
D. McLean
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