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: Joseph Benson Parker, M.D.
I was born in Bloomfield
Penn. am 22 years, 3 months, 15 days. I am a graduate of “Dickinson
College”, having taken a full course, including ancient and modern
languages. In July last I had conferred upon me the degree of A.
M.
Immediately after completion
of my College course (July 1860), I commenced the study of Medicine,
with a Dr. Nichols then practicing in Carlisle Penn, with whom I
remained some five months. I then removed to Virginia and renewed
my studies with Dr. Richard McSherry of Martinsburg, Berkley [sic] Co. –
I attended one full course of lectures at the “Medical College of
Virginia”, while there was selected “Resident student” to
“Belevue Hospital”, and at the close of the course was examined and
appointed Physician to the City “Alms House” – The threatening state of
affairs at this period induced me to abandon Va. and I preceded to
Baltimore City Md. where in the capacity of an
Act. Medical Cadet, I served at the Convalescent [?] Hospital,
and afterwards at the “Newton University Hospital” Lexington st. was
here 3 months, and during that time compounded and dispensed medicines.
I then received permission
to appear for examination in Washinton D.C. for appointment as
Medical Cadet
U.S.A. and being assigned was assigned to the “Campbell Hospital” near
that city – after remaining in Washington four months, at my own request
was ordered to the “Department of the West,” and was then assigned to
the “Lawson Gen. Hospital” Saint Louis Mo. a hospital entirely Surgical.
I remained in St. Louis
three months when I was granted permission by the Hon, Sec. of the Navy,
to appear before Surgeon Grier at the Naval Hospital Mound City Ill. for
examination for appointment as Act. Surgeon U.S. Navy, and being
approved was ordered to the Mississippi Squadron where, in the
latter capacity I have been since March last.
I am not a graduate, my
service in the Army and Navy preventing, such is my intention when an
opportunity offers
Address when at home
Carlisle, Cumberland Co.
Penn.
Address in Philadelphia
912 Spruce st.
Respectfully Submitted
Joseph B. Parker,
A.
A. Surg. U.S.N.
To
Examining Board
Naval Asylum
Phila.
Questions by the Board:
Questions to be answered in
writing by Dr. J. B. Parker [pasted onto page]
1. Give the coverings,
+ anatomical structure of the testis.
2. What are the
different forms of Erysipelas, symptoms + treatment?
3. What are the morbid
appearances of Bright’s disease?
4. What a Sugar?
give the varieties, their composition in symbols, tests etc.
5. What is rhubarb?
give the Source, + physical character of the commercial varieties, + the
Medical Properties, preparations + uses of the drug – Write a
prescription without abbreviations –
6. Define, coughing,
vomiting, hiccup eructation + yawning and distinguish the difference of
action producing them –
7. Describe the
operation of Laryngotomy
8. Describe
(succinctly) Dersault’s apparatus for fracture of the clavicles.
9. What are the
relations of the carotid artery?
Answers by Parker:
1. Coverings of Testis
– Skin, Dartos, tunica vaginalis tunica albuginea, – Structure –
composed of a number of tubes called tubuli Seminiferi which form the
vasa deferentia – The proper substance is a pulpy mass, – The
epididymitis is an appendix to the testicle
2. Simple and
Phlegmonous – The symptoms are heat and pain in the part, often
constitutional – headache etc – redness disapear [sic, correction marks
in pencil] under presure [sic, correction marks in pencil] but
immediately appears – there may be œdema from obstruction to venous
circulation. Treatment supposed to be a disease of the blood and
treated constitutionally and locally. The Tincture Ferri chloridi,
considered a specific and given three times daily, frequently applied
externally, also the Tr. Iodine, warm applications to part + the
general condition of patient attended to
3. Bright’s disease
is a granular degeneration of the kidney, and the morbid appearances are
Sugar in Wine, albumin, which in severe case presents a milky appearance
The usual
symptoms of Nephritic disease are complex etc, deep seated pain –
lumbago, pain shooting down the thigh.
4. Sugar is an organic
principle, abundant in nature it – two varieties, Cane Sugar C.12H.11O.11
+ Glucose or Grape Sugar C.12H.14O14 –
The most reliable
test is Trommer’s, which consists in adding to the suspected urine Liq.
Potassae, Solution of Cupri Sulp. untill [sic, correction marks in
pencil] it give a slight blue appearance, Suboxide of copper is thrown
down, but this does not interfere with the tests, as it is redisolved
[sic, correction marks in pencil], heat is then applied when if Sugar be
present a dark brown color will be the result.
5.
Rhubarb is a product of the Rheum palmatum a tree growing in Turkey –
appears is light brown – odor slight taste bitter – imported in
pieces of small size – is cathartic in doses of 20 or 30 gr.
Laxatives in 5 or 10 gr.
Rx
Quinia Sulphate gr. xij
Ferri Persulphatis gr. x
Morphia Sulphas gr. ij
Misce et facit Pillulae No. x
Signa – one ter die
6. Coughing is
produced by a contraction of the muscles of the thorax, with the aid of
the diaphragm to expell [sic, correction marks in pencil] foreign matter
from the Bronchia and Lungs.
Vomiting is caused by a
contractions of the muscular coat of the stomach when any irritating
substance is applied.
Hiccup is caused by a
contraction (spasmodic) of the diaphragm.
Eructation, contractions of
oesophagus.
Yawning, muscles of Pharynx
7. An incision should
be made about half an inch in length in the median line dividing the
integument + Crycoid [sic, correction marks in pencil] membrane.
The sterno Thyroid and Sterno Hyoid muscles should be held aside, care
should be taken to avoid wounding the Crico Thyroid artery – a
perpendicular incision should then be made in the larynx. If a
vessels should be wounded care should be taken to prevent the passage of
blood. The incision is commenced at the Thyroid cartilage and
terminates at the Cricoid – a crucial incision is also made.
8. Consists of two
rings which are passed around the shoulders, and a wedged shape pad in
the axilla of the fractured side. There is also a support for the
forearm which is so arranged by buckling to a strap passed over the
sound shoulder.
9. Relations Carotid
Artery – Sterno Mastoid, Sterno Thyroid, Sterno Hyoid – Jugular vein,
Pneumogastric nerve 8th Descending noni nerve 9th
pair – Stylo Hyoid, Stylo Glossus, Inferior and middle constrictor
muscles of Pharynx – Orno Hyoid
Respectfully Submitted
Joseph B. Parker, A.
A. Surg. U.S.N.
Oct. 6th
1863.
I declare on honor that, my
health at this time is 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 or Hemorrhoids;
nor am I aware that there is anything 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
Joseph B. Parker
Candidate for the office of
Assistant Surgeon in the
Navy of the United States,