"306
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. A SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME.
We congratulate all Medical Officers in Civil employ
the
on
they are, at least at some future period, to receive the unemployed pay of their rank and a Staff salary, instead of the scanty emoluments to which they have been so long restricted. It is now some months since the Commission appointed to take into consideration the question of Civil Medical Salaries terminated its labours and sent in its Report. We believe the general features of the scheme have never been kept secret, and we ,can now speak with authority upon them. We refer to a letter addressed by the Financial Secretary to the Government of India, to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal (No. 2018, dated 21st August, 1866), now being cirdeclared fact that
now
culated for the information of Medical Officers. "
From it
we
Secretary of State lias been asked to authorize for Medical Officers in charge of Civil Stations a certain Staff pay, additional to the rate of unemployed pay of rank which is authorized for Medical Officers hereafter entering the Serlearn that
the
vice, and with there is
a
further additional allowance at Stations where
a
Lunatic
it should
be,
Asylum
or a
College,
but what follows is
be allowed We have
been
This is
amongst
the number of those who
maintain that both the Home and Indian Governments and
upright in their
that for
they
no
intentions towards
class have
as
"
effect."
retrospective always
both."
satisfactory ; the will, however," we are told,
decision on this recommendation "
or
even more
they
a
are
just
all their servants, and
greater amount of good-will than The exigencies of the Ser-
have for their Medical Officers.
vice, existing rules, and other impedimenta may sometimes have frustrated the good intentions, but time only was required for the removal of the thorns and briars which choked them and
nipped
the
ears
of the hundred-fold harvest.
combatant brethren have bourne's liberal Civil
Surgeons
been
concessions, have
been
of the back pay which
kindly taking care of soon be promulgated.
the
and
We believe
well satisfied we
made
trust
soon
by
to hear that all
equally happy by
the
Government have been
for them.
May
the
despatch
The letter which w.ehave above referred to,
our
Lord Cran-
runs
in
receipt long question so
thus
From E. H. Lushington, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, Financial Department, to the Secretary to the Government of dated Simla, the 21st August, 1866.)
Bengal, (No. 2018,
Sib,?In reply to your letter No. 2028, dated 9th April, 1866, I am directed to state that it has not been deemed expedient to fix for Medical Officers in charge of Civil Stations a consolidated salary of Es. 600 a month aa given to Assistant Surgeons for the medical charge of Native Corps. The Secretary of State has been asked to authorize fpr Medical Officers in charge of Civil Stations a certain staff pay, additional to the rate of unemployed pay of rank, which is authorized for Medical Officers hereentering the Service, and with a further additional allowance at a Lunatic Asylum or a College, or both. The decision on this recommendation will, however, be allowed retrospective after
Stations where there is
effect. Meanwhile, the Hon'ble the Lieutenant-Governor will have learnt No. 1171, dated 16th March, 1866, that Dispenaddition to the Military pay of rank. The sary allowance is admissible in Officiating Civil Assistant-Surgeon of Jessore is accordingly entitled to lis. 463-10-2 monthly, via., Military pay Es. 433-10-2, and Dispensary allowance Es. 30. 2.
from Financial Kesolution
[October 1,
1866.