A letter to the Commissioners of Military Enquiry, containing a refutation of some statements made by Mr. Keate, Surgeon General to the Forces, respecting the Medical Department of the Army / [Robert Jackson].

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

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Commissioners of Military Enquiry, containing a refutation of some statements made by Mr. Keate, Surgeon General to the Forces, respecting the Medical Department of the Army / [Robert Jackson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    &ncl experienced with military business than the surgeons of colonials or foreigners ; while the economy of the regi¬ ments, though not perfect, is still less defective than that of the others. Military men of reflection are well aware of the advantages of regimental infirmaries over general hos¬ pitals for the preservation of discipline, and medical men will generally assent to superior success in the treatment of dis¬ ease. The causes of the advantages are obvious; and the execution of the plan proposed, with a sufficiency of assist¬ ance to be divided in case of detachment or service in the field, practicable and easy. Of 350 sick men at present in Port au Prince, 120 only are upon the establishment of the general hospital. The others are under the care of the surgeons of the regiments. Fresh rations are received from the commissary on their account, with wine in lieu of rum according to the adjudged value. The extra wants are amply supplied by the contribution of a certain portion of the pay during confinement in the hospital : the sum of four-pence, or even three-pence per day, with management and economy is found sufficient for every purpose. February. N. B. The above was written in February 1797- The plan was afterwards carried into execution most perfectly in the district of Port au Prince for British, as well as for colonials and foreign, and it answered every expectation. There was more active service during some part of this period than at any other, and no embarrassment occurred. Instead of a stoppage, it was found on trial that the com¬ muted ration, or its value was sufficient to furnish every extra comfort the sick required ; and, as the general hos¬ pital was broken up, the hospital staff, farther than a regi¬ mental inspector, perhaps a staff surgeon for detachment in case of an expedition, and a responsible person in charge of apothecary's stores, was of no use. FINIS. i