I. 



A STATEMENT IN RELATION TO THE UNITED STATES 

 NAVAL MEDICAL CORPS. 



Believing it to be in accordance with, the objects of this Associa- 

 tion, we beg leave to lay before it certain facts in relation to that 

 portion of the medical profession associated with the naval service, 

 and which we have the honour to represent in the present assembly. 



From the large number of persons who appear before the Naval 

 Medical Examining Boards, and from the small proportion who are 

 successful, it has been intimated that influence, independent of 

 qualification, is essential to success. Such an impression is of 

 course adverse to any efforts the Government Boards may make to 

 elevate the profession, and its correction is due not only to the 

 Boards, but to the profession at large. 



The aid of influential friends is not necessary even to obtain a 

 permission to appear before the Boards, but it is granted to all 

 within the prescribed ages, disposed to enter the field of competition, 

 without question as to political alliance or social position, but, with 

 the understanding that a limited number of appointments is to be 

 made, and those alone can be successful who are found to be best 

 qualified. 



The Boards vary as to their individual composition : the selection 

 of their members being made from such medical officers, sufficiently 

 old in the service, as the public interests permit to be taken, from 

 time to time, from other duties ; and they are convened under a 

 precept containing the following injunction : 



" The attention of the Board will be directed to moral character, 

 as well as to scientific and other attainments ; and it will be its duty 

 to make the examination full, minute, and rigid." 



From the limited number of medical officers, and the want of 

 allowance for inefficient members in their corps, it becomes both the 

 duty and interest of Boards to select only such as are physically 

 competent to their duties : hence, many may be set aside for essen- 



