356 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



Marine Hospital, Staten Island, N. Y. 



In June, 1891, Dr. Hamilton resigned to be succeeded, by the ap- 

 pointment by President Harrison, of Dr. Walter Wyman, who had been 

 chief of the quarantine division in the administrative bureau. In 190? 

 the enlarging and changing functions exercised, necessitated a change 

 in name from the old Marine Hospital Service to the cumbersome but 

 expressive Public Health and Marine Hospital Service. In 1893 addi- 

 tional quarantine powers were added and additional responsibilities im- 

 posed, such as the medical inspection of immigrants. In 1875 the super- 

 vising surgeon became the supervising surgeon general, and was com- 

 missioned. By the legislation of 1889 commissions were conferred on 

 all the regular officers of the corps. The old seamen's tax was finally 

 abolished in 1884 and since then the service has been supported entirely 

 by Congressional appropriation. 



Examinations are held annually at Washington for candidates for 

 admission to the corps. N"o more rigorous test is to be found for any 

 medical appointment than this, lasting from a week to ten days or 

 more. The examination covers the physical condition, literary and 

 academic preparation, and practical and theoretical training. It in- 

 cludes a practical laboratory and hospital bedside examination. After 

 four years assistant surgeons are eligible to be examined for promotion 

 to the next grade of passed assistant surgeon. After from fifteen to 

 twenty years' service, further examinations are held for promotion to 

 the grade of surgeon. There are now 135 commissioned officers. This 

 service offers one of the most attractive openings in the country for 

 young physicians. 



The splendid institution known as the Hygienic Laboratory, now 

 recognized the world around for its excellent contributions to the 

 knowledge of scientific medicine and of public health and sanitation, 



