The Medical 662. That the Medical Department of the Army1 shall ganization. hereafter consist of one Surgeon-General, with the rank, Department; or Sec. 4, June 23, Mar. 1, 1887, v. 26, 1870, v. 19, p. v. 27, p. 276; Aug. V. 30. 2 1874. v. 18, p. 244 pay, and emoluments of a brigadier-general; six assistant 24, p. 435; July Surgeon generals, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of 61: July 27, 1892, colonels, and ten deputy surgeon generals, with the rank 18, 1894, v. 28, p. Pay, and emoluments of lieutenant-colonels, who shall give 403; May 12, 1898, the same bonds which are or may be required of assistant paymasters-general of like grade, and shall, when not acting as purveyors, be assignable to duty as surgeons by the President; fifty surgeons, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of majors; one hundred and twenty-five assistant surgeons, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of lieutenants of cavalry 3 for the first five years' service, and with the rank, pay, and emoluments of captains of cavalry after Original vacan- five years' service; and all the original vacancies in the grade of assistant surgeons shall be filled by selection by competitive examination. In emergencies the SurgeonGeneral of the Army, with the approval of the Secretary of War, may appoint as many contract surgeons as may be necessary, at a compensation not to exceed one hundred and fifty dollars per month. Sec. 2, act of May 12, 1898. cies in grade of sur Section 1168, Revised Statutes, was replaced by section 4 of the act of June 23, 1874 (18 Stat. L., 244), and by the act of June 26, 1876 (19 ibid., 61). For general provisions respecting appointments and promotions in the Medical Department see the chapter entitled THE STAFF DEPARTMENTS, 2 See paragraph 663, post. 3The number of assistant surgeons was fixed at 125 by the act of June 26, 1876 (19 Stat. L. 61), and at 110 by the act of August 18, 1894 (28 Stat. L., 403), and at 125 by the act of May 12, 1898. 4 The office of medical storekeeper was abolished by the act of June 26, 1876 (19 Stat. L., 61). tain medical offi July 27, 1892, v. 663. That from and after the passage of this act the Grades of cergrade of certain medical officers of the Army below that of cers. Surgeon-General shall be as follows: Those holding the 27, p. 276. rank of colonel, assistant surgeon-generals; those holding the rank of lieutenant-colonel, deputy surgeon-generals. June 30, 1834, c. 714. 664. No person shall receive the appointment of assistant Examinations. surgeon unless he shall have been examined and approved 133, s. 1, v. 4, p. by an army medical board, consisting of not less than three Sec. 1172, R.S. surgeons or assistant surgeons, designated by the Secretary of War; and no person shall receive the appointment of surgeon unless he shall have served at least five years as an assistant surgeon in the Regular Army, and shall have been examined and approved by an army medical board, consisting of not less than three surgeons, designated as aforesaid.2 Volunteer service of assistant 665. Assistant surgeons who have served three years as surgeons or assistant surgeons in the volunteer forces [shall]3 surgeons. be eligible to promotion to the grade of captain. 666. That before receiving the rank of captain of cavalry, assistant surgeons shall be examined, under the provisions of an act approved October first, eighteen hundred and ninety, entitled "An act to provide for the examination of certain officers of the Army and to regulate promotions therein." Sec. 2, act of July 27, 1892 (27 Stat. L., 276). 667. Officers of the Medical Department shall take rank and precedence in accordance with date of commission or appointment, and shall be so borne on the official Army Register. Act of July 5, 1884 (23 Stat. L., 111). 668. Officers of the Medical Department of the Army shall not be entitled, in virtue of their rank, to command in the line or in other staff corps. 669. That medical officers of the Army may be assigned by the Secretary of War to such duties as the interests of the service may demand.4 Mar. 2, 1867, c. 145, s. 5, v. 14, p. 423. Sec. 1170, R. S. faxistant surgeons for promo tion. 562. v. 26, p. 1892, v. 27, p. 276. Sec. 2, July 27, Rank and precedence. July 5, 1884, v. 23, p. 111. mand. Right of comFeb. 11, 1847, c. 8, s. 8, v. 9, p. 125. Sec.1169, R. S. Assignment to duty. Sec. 3, July 27, 1892, v. 27, p. 277. cooking. 670. The officers of the Medical Department of the Army Supervision of shall unite with the officers of the line, under such rules and regulations as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War, 744. in superintending the cooking done by the enlisted men; The number of acting assistant or contract surgeons was fixed at 75 by the act of June 23, 1874 (18 Stat. L., 244); at 75 by the acts of July 30, 1886 (24 Stat. L., 95), and February 9, 1887 (24 Stat. L., 396); at 50 by the acts of September 22, 1888 (25 Stat. L., 482), and March 2, 1889 (25 Stat. L., 827). From the act of July 16, 1892 (27 Stat. L., 175), until that of May 12, 1898, contract surgeons, as such, ceased to be provided for in the annual acts of appropriation. No allowance will be made for the expenses of persons undergoing examination, but those who receive appointments will be entitled to travel allowances in obeying the first order assigning them to duty. (Par. 1395, A. R., 1895.) · The word "shall" omitted from the roll. "The Medical Department, under the direction of the Secretary of War, is charged with the duty of investigating the sanitary condition of the Army and making recommendations in reference thereto, with the duty of caring for the sick and Wounded making physical examinations of officers and enlisted men, and furnishing all medical and hospital supplies, except for public animals. (Par. 1392, A. R., 1895.) Sec. 1174, R. S. Purchases for sick in hospital. and the Surgeon-General shall promulgate to the officers of said corps such regulations and instructions as may tend to insure the proper preparation of the ration of the soldier. 671. Such quantities of fresh or preserved fruits, milk, Aug. 3, 1861, c. butter, and eggs as may be necessary for the proper diet of the sick may be allowed in hospitals. They shall be provided under such rules as the Surgeon-General, with the approval of the Secretary of War, shall prescribe. 42, s. 14. v. 12, p. 289. Sec. 1175, R. S. Professional attendance on cers, etc. 672. The medical officers of the Army and contract surfamilies of offi- geons shall, whenever practicable, attend the families of the July 5, 1884, v. officers and soldiers free of charge. Act of July 5, 1884 (23 Stat. L., 112). 23, p. 112. The Hospital Corps. 24. p. 435: Mar. 61: Apr. 26, 1898, v. 30. THE HOSPITAL CORPS. 673. That the Hospital Corps of the United States Army Mar. 1, 1887, v. shall consist of hospital stewards, acting hospital stewards, 16, 1895, v. 29. p. and privates; and all necessary hospital services in garrison, camp, or field (including ambulance service) shall be performed by the members thereof, who shall be regularly enlisted in the military service; said corps shall be permanently attached to the Medical Department." Act of March 1, 1887 (21 Stat. L., 435). Hospital stew ards. 674. That the Secretary of War is empowered to appoint. Sec. 2. Mar. 1. as many hospital stewards as, in his judgment, the service Mar. 16, 1896, v. may require; but not more than one hospital steward shall be stationed at any post or place without special authority 1887, v. 24. p. 435; 29, p. 61. Civilians employed in post exchanges are held to be entitled to the privileges of medical and hospital attendance and purchase of medicines allowed civilian employees under Army Regulations 1444, 1445, 1447, and 1450, (Decision Sec. War, Jan. 31, 1896– Circular No. 2, 1896.) 2 Sections 1179, 1180, and 1181, Revised Statutes, were repealed by the act of March 1. 1887 (24 Stat. L., 435), creating the Hospital Corps. By the act of April 26, 1898, the enlisted men of this corps are included in the authorized strength of the Army. THE HOSPITAL CORPS. All hospital services in garrison and in the field will be performed by members of the Hospital Corps, who will be enlisted for, and permanently attached to, the Medical Department. In time of war, the corps will perform the necessary ambulance service under such officers of the Medical Department and assistants as may be detailed for that duty. (Par. 1396. A. R., 1895.) For regulations respecting the war service of the Hospital Corps, see G. O. 58, A. G. O., 1898. No person will be appointed a hospital steward until he has served a year as acting hospital steward; nor will a steward be appointed nor an acting steward be detailed until he has passed a satisfactory examination, under the direction of the SurgeonGeneral. Privates who have served one year in the Hospital Corps, and graduates of pharmacy who have served six months and have shown particular fitness, may be recommended to the Surgeon-General for promotion by the senior medical oflicer of the command. From those thus recommended acting stewards will be detailed, after passing the required examination. These examinations will be conducted by a board composed of the medical officers of the station at which the applicant may be serving, and if no medical officer is there on duty, the candidate will be sent for examination to the nearest station provided with such an officer. The report of the board will be forwarded direct to the Surgeon-General. a (Par. 1397, ibid.) At every post there will be one hospital steward, two if the garrison equals six companies, and an additional one for every additional six companies. At every a But see note, page 243 post. of the Secretary of War. That there shall be no appointments of hospital stewards until the number of hospital stewards shall be reduced below one hundred, and thereafter the number of such officers shall not exceed one hundred.' Act of March 16, 1896 (29 Stat. L., 61). 675. That the pay of hospital stewards shall be fortyfive dollars per month, with the increase on account of length of service as is now or may hereafter be allowed by law to other enlisted men. They shall have rank with ordnance-sergeants and be entitled to all the allowances appertaining to that grade. Sec. 3, act of March 1, 1887 (21 Stat. L., 435). Rank and pay. 1887, v. 24, p. 435. Sec. 3, Mar. 1, Examination. Sec. 4, Mar. 1 Sec. 4, ibid. 676. That no person shall be appointed a hospital steward unless he shall have passed a satisfactory examination 1887, v. 24, p. 435. before a board of one or more medical officers as to his qualifications for the position, and demonstrated his fitness therefor by service of not less than twelve months as acting hospital steward; and no person shall be designated for such examination except by written authority of the Surgeon-General. Sec. 4, ibid. ties. 677. That the Secretary of War is empowered to enlist, Privates; du or cause to be enlisted, as many privates of the Hospital Sec. 5, ibid. Corps as the service may require, and to limit or fix the number, and make such regulations for their government post of two companies there will also be an acting steward, if practicable. (Par. 1409. ibid.) There will be three privates of the Hospital Corps at every military post, four if the garrison consists of two companies, and an additional private for each additional two companies. They will be assigned to the respective duties connected with the hospital service by the surgeon of the post. (Par. 1410, ibid.) The number of stewards and privates of the Hospital Corps to be stationed at arsenals, engineer stations, and independent posts will be determined by the Secre tary of War. (Par. 1411, ibid.) The act of June 2, 1898, contained the requirement "that all provisions of law limiting the number of hospital stewards in service at any one time to one hundred, and requiring that a person to be appointed a hospital steward shall first demonstrate his fitness therefor by actual service of not less than twelve months as acting hospital steward, be, and the same are hereby, suspended during the existing war: Provided, That the increase of hospital stewards under this act shall not exceed one hundred." For regulations respecting the transfer of enlisted men of volunteer organizations to the Hospital Corps, see G. O. 58, and 82, A. G. O., 1898. 國 LITTER BEARERS. Special instruction in the duties of litter bearers and the methods of rendering first aid to the sick and wounded will be given to all enlisted men of the Army by their company officers for at least four hours in each month. Company commanders will be supplied from the Surgeon-General's Office with the Drill Regulations for the Hospital Corps; and the surgeon of the post, under the direction of the post com mander, will thoroughly instruct all company officers serving with troops in the professional knowledge required. (Par. 1412, ibid., G. O. 60, A.G. O., 1898.) All available men of the Hospital Cops will be instructed under the supervision of the surgeon of the post for at least eight hours in each month in the duties of litter bearers and the methods of rendering first aid to the sick and wounded. (Par. 1413, ibid., G. O. 60, A. G. O., 1898.) AMBULANCES AND LITTERS. One regulation ambulance with proper harness will be issued to each post. To posts of more than 200 men, the number to be issued will be one additional ambuJance for each additional 200 men or major fraction thereof. (Par. 1414, A. R., 1895.) The ambulance will not be used except for transportation of the sick and wounded, Pay and allow ances. July 13, 1892, v. 27, p. 120. as may be necessary; and any enlisted man in the Army shall be eligible for transfer to the Hospital Corps as a private. They shall perform duty as wardmasters, cooks, nurses, and attendants in hospitals, and as stretcher-bearers, litter-bearers, and ambulance attendants in the field, and such other duties as may by proper authority be required of them. Sec. 5, ibid. 678. That the pay of privates of the Hospital Corps shall Sec. 6, ibid.; be eighteen dollars per month, with the increase on account of length of service as is now or may hereafter be allowed by law to other enlisted men; they shall be entitled to the same allowances as a corporal of the arm of service with which on duty. Sec. 6, ibid. Acting hospital stewards. 1887, v. 24, p. 436. 679. That privates of the Hospital Corps may be detailed Sec. 7, Mar. 1, as acting hospital stewards by the Secretary of War, upon the recommendation of the Surgeon General, whenever the necessities of the service require it; and while so detailed their pay shall be twenty-five dollars per month, with increase as above stated. Acting hospital stewards, when the recreation of convalescent patients, or to give instruction in the duties of the ambulance service. They will be furnished and repaired by the Quartermaster's Department, will always be subject to the call of the surgeon, and, when practicable, will be housed near the hospital. (Par. 1415. ibid.) At each post one of the privates of the corps will be designated by the surgeon as ambulance driver. In addition to his other duties, he will care for the ambulance, its equipment and harness, and see that they are always in readiness for immediate use. In the field he will care for the animals. When it is necessary to use the ambulance for any transportation purposes, the commanding officer, on the application of the surgeon, will see that the requisite animals are provided by the quartermaster and placed at the disposal of the surgeon. (Par. 1416, ibid.) At posts each company will be furnished with one hand litter, which will be kept ready at all times for use by the company bearers. They will be supplied and repaired by the Quartermaster's Department. (Par. 1417, ibid.) Travois and mule litters may be issued upon the recommendation of the chief surgeon. (Par. 1418, ibid.) Commanding officers will inspect ambulances, litters, and other appliances for transporting the wounded at each monthly inspection, and see that they are completely equipped. When practicable, the ambulance fully equipped for service will be presented for inspection, with the animals attached. (Par. 1419, ibid.) FIELD SERVICE. In field service, troops will be accompanied by such number of men of the Hospital Corps as may be determined by the post commander, on the recommendation of the surgeon. (Par. 1420, A. R., 1895.) On the march or in battle each medical officer will habitually be attended by a mounted private of the Hospital Corps. Hospital stewards, acting stewards, and at least one private of the corps in each separate command will be mounted when serving in the field, and all privates of the corps will be mounted when serving with mounted commands. Horses will be furnished by the Quartermaster's Department for members of the corps on duty in the field, when practicable. When no horses are available special application for authority to hire must be made. (Par. 1421, ibid.) Ambulances will be used for the transportation of the sick and wounded, the instruction of the Hospital Corps and company bearers, and, in urgent cases, for the transportation of medical supplies, and all persons are prohibited from using them, or requiring or permitting them to be used, for any other purpose. It shall be the duty of the officers of the ambulance service to report to the commander of the troops any violation of the provisions of this paragraph. (Par. 1422, ibid.) No person, except the proper medical officers or the officers, noncommissioned offi cers, and privates of the ambulance service, or such persons as may be specially assigned by competent military authority to duty therewith, will be permitted to take or accompany sick or wounded men to the rear, either on the march or upon the field of battle. (Par. 1423, ibid.) When detailed for service in the field during Indian wars, or when left with the sick or wounded under circumstances which justify the expectation that their rights as noncombatants, under the Geneva Convention, will not be recognized, commanding officers will issue to members of the Hospital Corps revolvers or other available firearms. With these exceptions, no side arms will be issued to members of the Hospital Corps. (Order Sec. War, Jan. 31, 1896-Circular No. 2, 1896.) |