University Medical College - Scalpel Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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Flhr Nanal Svurgenn RICHARD LIGHTBURN SUTTON, Ass't Sur. U. S. N. fRetired.j O the recent graduate or to the medical man who is not so fortunate as to inherit a lucrative practice in a congenial field, the career of a surgeon in the United States Navy has much to offer. Aside from the matter of sentiment doctors as a class, are far from immune to wan-derlust, while few men find a pair of shoulder straps unbecoming to their particular style of beauty-the material rewards are much greater than those which fall to the lot of the average civil practitioner of medicine. Of the three public services, the navy alone allows the assistant surgeon his pro- motion, with increased rank and emoluments, at the en-d of three years. The course -of preliminary instruction at the Naval Medical School in Washington, to which all newly commissioned men are ordered shortly after appointment, serves, among other things, to give the beginner an excellent idea of the work he will be ex- pected to perform in future. One of the instructors is la lieutenant of the line whose duty it is to look after the education of the student officers in matters nautical. 'So well does he perform the task assigned that few men graduate from the school without a thorough knowledge of at least a portion of the salt water sailor's alphabet. Notwithstanding this pre-fatory training, however, the enthusiastic embryo admiral from the great Middle Welst, who has had little experience with the Bounding Deep and all that pertains thereto, will find his initial experiences on board a man-'o-war more or less disconcerting. The younger ele- ment in the wardroom will strive- to make matters interesting for the newcomer in a variety of ways, and their well directed efforts are usually crowned with success. But it is all for the good of the service and the less-ons learned from these youthful tutors are frequently beneficial and seldom forgotten. ' The quarters over which the doctor holds direct sway consist of his cabin in the wardroom, the term applied to the after portion of the gun-deck, which is divided into -compartments, or rooms, for the personal use of the commissioned force, and the hospital or sickbay, with its appended dispensary. The private cabin is rather a minute apartment, about -six by eight feet in size, eq-uipped with a metal folding bed which shuts up against the bulkhead when not in use, several chests of drawers, a combined writing -desk and bookcase with a plate mirror set in the upper portion, la metal rack containing wash bowl, pitcher and towels, and a swivel chair. Ventilation is secured by means of blowers and, in hot climates, an electric fan gives additional comfort. The sickbay is generally located forward, on the upper or lower gun deck, and is a model little hospital, especially on the newer and larger vessels. The beds are of the shelf pattern, with a surrounding rail for additi-onal safety in rough weather, and are of metal, finished in aluminum or enamel. The smaller boats carry from four to six, the flag ships a dozen or more. The deck beneath, of polished or shellaced hardwood, is kept spotlessly clean. Leading out from the bay is a bath room, with tile floor and enamel tub. The dispen- sary, which is an apothecary's shop, a bacteriologic laboratory and a hospital steward's boudoir, all in one, is a marvel of compact utility. Many of the recently completed ves-

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sels also have tile lined operating rooms, equipped with the best modern furniture. The hospital is under the immediate care of a hospital steward and one or more apprentices. These men are selected not only for their knowledge and ability, but on account of their neatness and gentlemanly deportment as well, and a finer, more efficient corps of nurses would be hard to find. The surgeon's day commences with morning sick call. which the bugle sounds immediately after breakfast. As the little marine trumpeter swells out his chest and sends the doleful strains of Come and get your quinine, qui-nine, q-u-i-n-i-n-e meandering between decks, the sailors who desire medical attention go forward to the dispensary. Here they are ex- amined, admitted to the sickbay if necessary, or placed on the UBinnacle list,' a slip of paper bearing the names of those recommended to be excused from duty. Some re- ceive treatment and are sent back to work. Occasionally, though rarely, a malingerer is encountered. By 11 o'clock the doctor is generally free to do as he chooses. A micro- scope, with plenty of supplies, is always furnished, and the late edition of standard media cal works are supplied on requisition. The willing, conscientious student is given every encouragement to pursue special studies or do research work. Service at sea is alternated with shore duty in naval hospitals, at recruiting sta- tions or in universities, every two or three years. The life is a varied one, replete with interesting experiences. To the young prac- titioner who is willing and able to meet the not unreasonable requirements of the ex- amining board, the prospect is no more alluring than the realization is satisfactory.