Notes of a short address to the candidates at the opening of the Army Medical School at Netley, April 1st, 1875 / by J. Fayrer.

  • Fayrer, Joseph, Sir, 1824-1907.
Date:
[1875]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes of a short address to the candidates at the opening of the Army Medical School at Netley, April 1st, 1875 / by J. Fayrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Surgeons and assistant surgeons, and resident surgeons cf the General and College Hospitals; superintendents of eye infirmaries; garrison sur- geons ; ^field surgeons'and assistants to armies in the field; surgeon to the viceroy ; surgeon to the commander-in-chief; presidency and district i surgeons; marine surgeons; police surgeons; superintendent of iunatic asylums; superintendent of emigration; medical superintendent of emi- gration ; medical examiner of accounts; principal medical storekeeper; other medical storekeepers; civil surgeons of stations, very numerous; and sometimes remunerative appointments, to which are joined others; regimental appointments; chemical examiners to Government; analysers of waters; assay and assistant assay masters; superintendent of botanic ! gardens, Calcutta, Scharunpore, and others; of cinchona plantations; forest appointments; superintendent of fisheries; sanitary commissioner to Government of India; sanitary commissioner of provinces; statistical officer and officers on special duty for investigation of cholera, held by two very distinguished students of this school, Messrs. Cunningham and Lewis; inspector-general and inspector of jails; superintendents of jails; inspector-general and superintendents of vaccination; political : agents; assistant political agents; magistrates, coroners; commissioners and deputy commissioners of divisions, offices involving judicial func- j tions; opium agents and assistants; professor of Arabic and secretary ; to Colleges (formerly); governor of the Andaman Islands (formerly); superintendent of Darjeeling, the late lamented Dr. Campbell; a former Persian envoy; and others that at this moment escape my memory. With many of these offices are combined other duties, or two or more may be held by the same officer. , In most cases, the civil and military medical appointments give j opportunity for private practice. In the Presidency cities and larger ] civil stations, it is often considerable; and though, perhaps, not so lucrative anywhere as in former days, it is such as would compare not unfavourably with the results of medical practice in European cities. , I have beard it said, that the late Dr. N., when surgeon to the General Hospital in Calcutta about thirty years ago, made as much as j one lac of rupees, £10,000, a year. Things have changed since then; medical men are more numerous and honoraria are smaller. Those who realise half the amount are fortunate; but this is not equal to the same in England. The cost of living is great, and the expenditure large; but if health continue, most medical officers may look forward at the completion of their service to retirement with a competency. Unfortunately, health is not always preserved, and the position is for- feited by the necessity of seeking change in Europe. But, lest I should. excite undue apprehension in reference to the evils of the climate, I i wiU presently say a few words on the mode of life in India. I have thus given you a glance at your future work, and an idea of what you may aspire to ; I am sure it depends on yourselves how far you may profit by the advantages offered. In these days, though in- : terest and the influence of friends will do something, they are as nothing to personal merit, which will do more. To men of apathetic temperament, though correct in all their pro- ceedings and relations of life and duty, the opportunities may seem never to come ; but the real fact is, they are neither perceived, nor grasped when they offer, and the favourable moment passes by un- heeded, perhaps not to return, and mediocrity is the result; but even to these the service offers something. There is sufficient for all present wants and a pension for the future. After periods of from seventeen to thirty years, you have the option of retiring on a pension according to the length of service, varying from £220 to ^550 a year, or if the last five years have been passed in the position of deputy-surgeon or surgeon-general, you will add an additional ^£250 or ,£350 to your pension. A liberal allowance of leave is accorded, amounting to six years in the whole period of thirty years; but, unless under very ex- ceptional circumstances, not more than two years can be taken at a time, and that after stated intervals. You will do well to avail your- ! self of this privilege, even though your health should not seem to i require it, for it gives you the opportunity of renewing your home im- j pressions, and refreshing your knowledge of professional subjects; and you will do very well, if it be permitted, to spend portions of your fur- ; lough here with that object.