Am.  Jour.  Pharm.i 
Jan.,  1892.  j 
Editorials. 
53 
Privates  who  have  served  one  year  or  more  and  who  have  displayed  partic- 
ular merit  are  recommended  to  the  Surgeon-General  for  assignment  to  duty  as 
acting  hospital  stewards.  A  material  increase  of  pay,  as  already  stated,  is 
attached  to  these  appointments. 
Graduates  in  pharmacy  are  eligible  for  these  positions  after  a  service  of  six 
months  to  familiarize  them  with  military  drill,  discipline,  and  the  methods  of 
the  Medical  Department.  Before  receiving  his  detail  as  acting  hospital  steward 
the  candidate  is  required  to  pass  an  examination  to  demonstrate  his  general 
intelligence  and  the  progress  he  has  made  in  his  special  studies.  The  exami- 
nation embraces  the  general  principles  of  arithmetic,  including  decimal  frac- 
tions and  the  rules  of  proportion  f  orthography  and  penmanship  ;  the  Articles 
of  War  and  regulations  affecting  enlisted  men,  particularly  in  the  Hospital 
Corps  ;  pharmacy  ;  the  care  and  use  of  meteorological  instruments  and  of  the 
hospital  and  field  appliances  furnished  by  the  Medical  Department  ;  the 
methods  of  rendering  first  aid  to  sick'and  wounded,  and  the  ordinary  modes  of 
cooking. 
Promotion  to  a  stewardship  is  not  authorized  until  the  candidate  has  demon- 
strated his  fitness  for  the  position  by  one  year  of  service  as  an  acting  hospital 
steward.  His  application  must  be  approved  by  the  senior  medical  officer  of  his 
post  and  by  the  post  commander,  and  must  bear  satisfactory  certification  as  to 
character,  conduct,  general  fitness  and  habits,  particularly  in  regard  to  the  use 
of  stimulants  and  narcotics.  Authority  is  then  given  by  the  Surgeon-General 
for  his  examination,  which  includes  the  subjects  already  mentioned,  together 
with  minor  surgery  and  the  elements  of  hygiene.  Passed  candidates  examined 
at  or  about  the  same  time  take  precedence  for  appointment  in  the  order  of 
relative  merit  as  shown  by  the  results  of  their  examination. 
Furloughs  to  deserving  men  are  granted  during  the  term  of  enlistment  when 
their  services  can  be  spared  from  their  post  of  duty. 
On  re-enlistment  at  the  end  of  five  years  $2  per  month  is  added  to  the  rate 
of  pay  and  $1  per  month  more  on  each  subsequent  re-enlistment. 
After  thirty  years  of  service  members  of  the  Hospital  Corps  are  entitled  to 
be  retired,  and  upon  retirement  receive  three-fourths  of  the  monthly  pay 
allowed  bylaw  to  them  in  the  grade  they  held  when  retired,  with  commutation 
for  allowances  of  clothi      and  rations. 
Applications  for  enlistment  into  the  Hospital  Corps  should  be  addressed  to 
"  The  Surgeon-General  U.  S.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C,"  and  should  be  accom- 
panied by  testimonials  as  to  character,  physical  soundness,  and  special  knowl- 
edge, as  of  pharmacy,  etc. 
