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: James Nevins Hyde, M.D.
Preliminary Letter.
I was born in the town of Norwich, in
the state of Connecticut, on the 21st day of June, 1840.
Before my preparation for college, I was almost constantly at school in
Brooklyn, New York City, and Newark, at various establishments. In 1855
I was admitted, after examination, to the Senior Class at Phillipp’s
Academy, Andover, Mass., and was graduated there upon the ensuing
Spring, with the 8th honor in a class of about 50 members.
Here I was prepared for College in the Classics and Mathematics.
In the ensuing Fall I was examined
and admitted into the Freshman Class at Yale College, New Haven, Ct.,
and after passing through the College Curriculum of four years, was
graduated with the 12th honor a class numbering over 100
members. During this time I studied French and German, translating some
of Schiller’s poems and plays, and all the Scientific and Classic
Branches of the Course, including lectures from Presdt
Woolsey, Prof.s Dona, Silliman, Jr., and Perten. During my Senior
year, I commenced the Study of Medicine, and attended lectures at the
Medical College in New Haven, pursuing at the same time my Collegiate
Studies.
Immediately after graduation, I
entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and
completed my course there in 1862. During this time I obtained Tickets
of Admission to the New York, Bellevue, and Island Hospitals, where I
was present as often as my studies would permit. My professional
instructor in New York was if Dr. William H. Draper, resident at No. 33
E. 12th St., from where, with other information, I obtain
some Knowledge of Microscopy.
In the same Spring of my graduation
there (1862) I entered the Service of the U.S. San’y Comm, as
a Volunteer Surgeon, and did duty upon the Peninsula for 3 months from
the time of McClellan’s occupation of Yorktown, to the time of his
evacuation of the entrenchments at Harrison’s Landing. Here I first had
acquaintance with gunshot wounds, and the operations following them. I
was under fire here several times, and last at the battle of Malvern
Hill, where I performed some minor operations.
In the following Septr
(1862) I entered the U.S. Army as an Act’g Asst Surgeon, and
did duty in the Washington Hospitals, for about 10 months. The greater
part of this time was spent at Lincoln General Hospital, where I became
familiar with all the practice of the Hospital, and assisted at all
Surgical operations. Here I particularly studied Pathological Anatomy,
and had the privilege of performing over 125 postmortem examinations, in
cases of most of the diseases to which soldiers are liable. Notes upon
all these, in greater part made by myself, together with the most
interesting pathological specimens, are to be found at the Surgeon
General’s Office in Washington in the new Army Medical Museum.
Wishing to enter the Navy I applied
and passed examination as an Actg Asst Surgeon in
July 1863, and was it that time recommended for examination as Asst.
Surgeon, by Surgeon Maxwell, U.S.N.
I was first ordered to the U. S. S.
S. “Brandywine”, then to the U. S. S. “Stepping Stones”, then to the U.
S. S. “Hunchback”, in the Sounds of N’th. Cara, where I did
duty for one month. When she was ordered home for repairs, I was placed
in charge of the U.S. Naval Hospital, at New Berne, N.C., by
Fleet-Surgeon, W. M. Wood, U.S.N., where I did duty till ordered to
examination.
Very Respectfully.
Your Obedient Servant,
Surgeons of Board for
Examination of Candidate
James N. Hyde
Act. Asst Surg. U.S.N.
(Candidate)
Residence in Philadelphia
La Pierre House
Questions by the Board:
Questions to be answered in writing
by Dr. J. N. Hyde.
1. What are the accidents are
injuries which require amputation of the thigh?
2. What is the best mode of
controlling the circulation in amputation of the thigh?
3. What is flooding, how produced, +
how arrested?
4. Give an account of the nux vomica,
and its active principles, then physiological effects, uses etc.
5. What is the structure +
composition of bone?
6. Enumerate The Potash Salts used
in Medicine, giving their composition in symbols, – give a Prescription
without symbols, or abbreviations.
7. Enumerate the cranial nerves +
their functions.
8. How is Pneumonia diagnosticated
from Pleuritis?
9. Give the fœtal circulation.
Answers by Hyde:
1. Severely comminuted fractures of
the lower part of the femur: Compound fractures, especially those
produced by gunshot wounds, where the situation (as a battle-field,
etc.) would forbid a trial of conservatives Surgery: Gangrene following
ligation of arteries, or from other causes: gunshot wounds opening the
Knee-joint and very extensive incised wounds of the Same: failure to
cure popliteal aneurism by opening the sac, and ligating: conical stump
with the protrusion and necrosis of the extremity of the bone: failure
to check secondary haemorrhage, following any Surgical operation below
the thigh, when the artery has been ligated in the continuity to no
purpose: neurologic pain in the leg, not amenable to treatment, and
threatening life by its continuous intensity; and such simple fractures
of the lower part of the femur as have not resulted in union after
months of delay nor in false joint.
2. By compressing the femoral artery
with the finger at its origin when escaping from the pelvis, or with a
tourniquet in the upper third of the thigh, if the amputation is not too
high to prevent [sic]
3. It is an haemorrhage from the
uterus at or near the time of parturition, excessive in quantity, and
caused by Placenta Praevia, the dilatation of the os tearing off a part
of the placental attachment, and leaving its sinuses patulous. It is
also caused by non-contraction of the uterus at the proper time, the
muscular walls not pressing upon the mouths of the blood vessels. It is
also an accompaniment frequently of premature labor, retain placenta,
unusually severe “after-pains.” It is arrested by remedies that are
addressed to its cause. If due to Placenta Praevia, shortening the
labor by version or instruments: if due to non-contraction of the
uterus, cold applications to the vagina and os, Styptics topically
applied: Ergot administered internally: Kneading and compressing with
the hand the uterus tumor, internal exhibition of astringents,
compression of the abdominal aorta, and irritation of the womb
mechanically to cause it to contract.
4. Nux Vomica is a medicine obtained
from the plant called Strychnos Nux Vomicae – a small perennial shrub
growing in America, and producing a bean or nut, about as large as a
large Lima bean. From this the medicine is obtained, and likewise its
principle active element, Strychnia or Strychnine, which is a white
inodorous substance, soluble in water and alcohol, and producing a
slightly coal taste in the mouth.
Nux Vomica is tonic in its
therapeutic action and a Spinal Stimulant. This latter effect is due to
the alkaloid mentioned, though Strychnia is likewise tonic in its
action. The latter effect is the first in order after its exhibition,
in large doses it is followed by a series of muscular spasms, producing
opisthotonos, emprosthotonos, violent motions of the head and limbs and
followed by death in consequence of spasm of the muscles of
respiration. An autopsy reveals often no indication of the cause of
death, but bodies of such as are thus poisoned present an unusual degree
of post-mortem rigidity. Hence in muscular paralysis, not due to total
destruction of nerve matter, either at the nerve centres or in the
continuity of nerves, the remedy is exceedingly valuable. As a tonic in
all diseases where debility depends upon atonic conditions of striped
and unstriped fibre, it is very useful. In paralysis of the bladder
with incontinence of urine, in paralysis of Sphincter muscles, and in
the “dental paralysis” of early life, the remedy is productive of
beneficial results. The best remedy for poisoning by Strychnine is
Opium, freely administered to quiet the nervous disturbance.
5. Bone is the result of that change
which takes place in the cartilage cell, denominated by Paget a
degeneration, and by others a development. The deposition of calcareous
Salts, the phosphate of lime and others, is the principal agency in the
change which takes place. But bone is also formed by what Virchow calls
a “proliferation” of cells from the periostium & the lining membrane of
its medullary cavity. Under the microscope a thin section of bone is
seen to be permeated by minute canals called the Haversian canals, with
smaller ones radiating from them in every direction – these are
“canaliculi” and the whole system of passages for carrying to the cells
at a distance from any blood-vessels those elements of the blood which
are essential to the nutrition. The Corpuscles of Parkinje are seen too
when magnified. These are the collections of cells, with some pigment
matter, which are at a distance from the channels of circulation.
Chemically bone consists of Phosphate of Lime, Phosphate of Soda,
Fluoride of Calcium, Chloride of Sodium, Water, Gelatin and animal
matters.
6. Potassae Chloras ––————
K.O., Cl.O.5
Potassae Aceta
————— K.O., C2H4.O5.
Potassii Iodidum
————— K.I.
Potassae Bitartras
————— K.O.,2C2.H3.O8.
Potassae Bicarbonas ————–
K.O.,2C.O.2
Potassii Sulphuretum
———— K.S.
Potassae Sulphas ————— K.O.,S.O.3
Potassae Nitras ————— K.O.,
NO.5
Recipe
Potassae Chloratis, drachman unam,
Tincturae Guiaci,
drachmas sextas,
Tincturae Capsici, guttas quartas,
Aquae
fluiduncias sextas,
Misce et Siqnatur “Gargarysma”
Sumendus ter die
7. The cranial nerves are as
follows. [After Grey] [actual brackets in text]
1. Olfactory – the
special nerve of the sense of smell
2. Optic – the
“ “ “ “ “ “ sight.
3. Oculo - Motorious
{nerve of motion to all the muscles of the orbit
{except – the trochlear muscle +
the external rectus
4. Patheticus – nerve of
motion to the trochlear muscle
5. Trifacial – Sensation
and motion to the face.
6. Abducentes – supplies
the external rectus muscle of the orbit
7. {Portio Dura – supplies
motion to the face muscles.
{Portio Mollis – the
special nerve of hearing
8. {Pneumogastric
{sensation and motion to the larynx, lungs,
{diatraogus [?], stomach oesophagus etc.
{Spinal Accessory,
unites with the pneumogastric
{Glosso-pharygeal
{Supplies pharynx, fauces, tongue
{etc. with sensation
9.
Hypoglossal or Sublingual– Motion to the
tongue
8. Pneumonia is distinguished from
Plueritis principally by the physical signs. A fine crepitation is
heard at the first stage going on to Bronchophony, dullness in
percussion, increase of vocal resonance, moist rales, if solidification
of tissue is not complete – this generally [sic] at the posterior and
inferior parts of the thorax. In Plueritis, the physical signs are
friction sound at first followed by effusion of serum, producing a total
loss of sound in some parts and in others aegophony; the voice carried
to the air by waves of liquid in the cavity. The percussion is dull and
changes from one place to another as the fluid gravitates to one part or
another of the chest in accordance with the position assumed. The sputa
of Pneumonia is rust-colored, from the admixture of blood, that of
Pleurisy is scanty, frothy, and often entirely wanting. The fever is
more frank usually in Pneumonia; then in Plueritis; but the pain in the
latter disease is more lacerating and severe – that in Pneumonia is
dull. The dyspnoea is great in both diseases, worse in those cases of
Plueritis, where the lung is crowded to the side of the cavity.
9. The foetal circulation commences
at the Placenta through which the blood is carried by the umbilical vein
to the foetal liver. Here a part passes directly to the inferior vena
cava, by the ductus venosus, and a part passes through the hepatic
veins. From the inferior cava the blood is projected into the right
auricle, thence to the left ventricle, and thence to the aorta, where it
is dispatched through the carotids and subclavians, to the upper part of
the body. The Superior vena cava returns it to the heart – first to the
right Auricle, then to the right ventricle – then to the pulmonary
artery, from which it is sent through the ductus arteriosus to the
aorta. The umbilical arteries, arising from the internal iliac return
it to the maternal blood.
James N. Hyde, A. A. Surgeon.
Certificate of Physical Capacity
I declare on honor that my health at
this time is good and robust; and that, 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 Haemorrhoids; 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.
James N. Hyde, A. A. Surgeon, U.S.N.
Candidate for the office of Assistant
Surgeon.
U.S. Naval Asylum, Phila
Oct 16th 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
