Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the regulations affecting the sanitary condition of the army, the organization of military hospitals, and the treatment of the sick and wounded : with evidence and appendix.

  • Great Britain. Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary Condition of the Army.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the regulations affecting the sanitary condition of the army, the organization of military hospitals, and the treatment of the sick and wounded : with evidence and appendix. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    COMMISSION. VICTORIA, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, To Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor, the Right Honourable Sidney Herbert; and to Our trusty and well-beloved Augustus Stafford Stafford, Esquire; Sir Henry Knight Storks, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a Colonel in Our Army, and Secretary for Military Correspondence in Our War Department; Andrew Smith, M.D., Director-General of Our Army Medical Department; Thomas Alexander, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath; Sir Thomas Phillips, Knight; James Ranald Martin, Esquire, F.R.S.; Sir James Clark, Baronet, M.D.; and John Sutherland, M.D.; greeting. Whereas it hath been humbly represented to Us that, considering the great importance of maintaining and improving the health of all ranks of Our Army, at home and abroad, and of providing for their medical care and treatment in cases of disease, wounds, and other casualties whatsoever, in the most approved manner, it is expedient that certain inquiries should be made into the constitution of the Medical Department of Our Army, the mode of appointment of its officers, and the system which regulates their rank, pay, promotion, and retirement; likewise it is further expedient to examine into the condition and administration of the Hospitals of Our Army, with a view to their increased efficiency. Now know ye, that We, having taken into Our consideration the premises, do hereby order and direct you the said Sidney Herbert, Augustus Stafford Stafford, Sir Henry Knight Storks, Andrew Smith, Thomas Alexander, Sir Thomas Phillips, Sir James Clark, James Ranald Martin, and John Sutherland, to inquire into the organization, government, and direction of the Medical Department of Our Army. And firstly, to inquire into the mode by which candidates for first Commissions are selected, and the system adopted for their promotion and routine of service; also the mode adopted in regard to their pay and retiring allowances. And further, We do order and direct you to inquire into the means now adopted for acquiring, keeping up, and adding to the professional knowledge of the officers of Our Medical Department, and to consider whether it will be expedient to encourage them to combine civil practice where compatible with military duty. And further, We do order and direct you to inquire into the operation of the regula- tions now in force, with a view to the prevention of disease in Our Army, both at home and abroad, as regards barrack accommodation, encampments, clothing, rations, and other matters relating thereto, having regard to the various climates to which Our troops are exposed, and the duties and responsibility of the medical authorities on these matters. And further, We do order and direct you to inquire into the state and condition of military hospitals, both general and regimental. a 3