Observations on the diseases of seamen / [Sir Gilbert Blane].

  • Blane, Gilbert, Sir, 1749-1834
Date:
1800
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the diseases of seamen / [Sir Gilbert Blane]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/690
    I feel greatly indebted to the furgeons for the pundluality and exadtnefs with which they furnidied thefe returns, and I ought not to fuffer any opportunity to efcape of ex- preffing my value for this clafs of officers. They are perhaps more regarded in our fer- vice than in that of other nations, but it would be for the public benefit if they were Itill more refpedted and encouraged. To men of liberal education and fentiments, as furgeons ought to be and generally are, the mofi: effec- tual inducements for them to enter into the fervice, and to do their duty when there, are flattering attentions, and a certain degree of eftimation in the eyes of other officers. This in its operation on liberal minds would, to a certain length, ftand in place of pecuniary emolument. It is what may be called, in the words of a late eloquent writer*, “ The cheap defence of nations.” Libe- rality of manners on the part of fuperiors, is at the fame time a more likely means of en- furing a confcientious performance of duty in this profeffion, than ftridf and diftant behavi- our, which may indeed operate on the minds of thofe whofe functions are merely me- chanical, but how can it infufe that tender attention to human fufferings, and that fenfc of duty which may induce a man, entruflied * Mr. Burke’s RefledVions on the French Revolution. with