A letter to the Commissioners of Military Enquiry; explaining the true constitution of a medical staff, the best form of economy for hospitals, etc. With a refutation of ... a letter by Dr. Bancroft, army physician, dated April 28, 1808 / [Robert Jackson].

  • Jackson, Robert, 1750-1827.
Date:
[1808]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Commissioners of Military Enquiry; explaining the true constitution of a medical staff, the best form of economy for hospitals, etc. With a refutation of ... a letter by Dr. Bancroft, army physician, dated April 28, 1808 / [Robert Jackson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Compari¬ son of ge¬ neral and regimental !iospitals. if we may believe Dr. Bancroft, prejudged the case, by examining those persons only who were likely to confirm you in your preconceived opinions. You are here represented as pre¬ determined judges, packing your jury, that you may obtain your own verdict. I cannot go tdeep into the subject; but I shall endeavour, in as few words as possible, to state the fact as it appears in the medical history of the service, of which I have knowledge myself; suggesting, at the same time, the probable causes which influence th-e eflects observed and which are often different in themselves. Military hospitals are of two kinds, or deno¬ minations, viz. general and regimental. A re¬ giment is the first entire and independent part of an army; and it is so organized as to exist with its own means. The regimental hospital is the place appointed for the reception of those materials of the primary part which become inef¬ fective through disease; and officers, professing medical skill, denominated regimental surgeons, are appointedto repair the first injury which hap¬ pens to the health of the regiment. This, they are supposed to attempt without loss of time, and tl^y are understood to accomplish it by the safest .and most eftectual means. The regimental f surgeon is an integral part in the constitution of