A letter to the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Palmerston ... on the subject of the Ophthalmic Institution for the cure of Chelsea Pensioners / by John Vetch.

  • John Vetch
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Palmerston ... on the subject of the Ophthalmic Institution for the cure of Chelsea Pensioners / by John Vetch. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    APPENDIX. No.l. (Extract.) Army Medical Department, August 15, 1808. Sir, 1 RETURNED on Saturday from a Circuit of Inspection along the Coast of Kent and Sussex, and have many objects of notice for the consideration of H. R. H. the Commander in Chief; but as the Ophthalmia Depot at Selsea is a more immediate and leading point of consideration, I hasten to report separately on that subject. In the several Barracks of Selsea, Aldwick, and Bognor, I found 781 patients: of these I made an accurate and individual examination; and as I was detained three days on the duty of these stations, a second inspection was had at the two latter establish- ments before I left the place, and nearly forty of the number were discharged to their regiments. These 781 patients are at present crowded into double births.—This, indeed, is a temporary pressure, arising from a sudden influx of patients from the armies in South America, Mediterranean, &c. who, as irretrievably blind, should be discharged, and no longer occupy the space that might be more usefully employed. In the superintendence of these concerns, I had great reason to be pleased with the skill, arrangement, and extreme attention of Dr. Vetch; and I should ill discharge my duty, if I did not report the same to H. R.H. the Commander in Chief.—Indeed, he seems to be so well qualified for this peculiar duty, that I cannot avoid recommending him for the appointment of Staff Surgeon to the Forces, to be specially attached to this duty; for it appears that he has been remarkably successful: and of the many cases sent to Selsea, very few have lost their sight at that place.—It is much to he regretted, that more Hospital Mates cannot be sent to him, for he is in great want of such assistance ; but I have been repeatedly obliged to recall them from this duty, for the pressing exigencies of foreign service, and have not been able to replace them temporarily from civil life. I have the honor to be, & c. &c. Lieutenant Colonel Gordon. (Signed) F. Knight. &c. frc.
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