October 1,
1837.]
MEDICAL CHARGE OE POLITICAL AG-ENCIES, &c.
MEDICAL CHARGE OF POLITICAL AGENCIES.
Surgeoncies under the direct Foreign Office, which appeared in the Gazette of India of the 12th September, has taken us by surprise. We knew, from sad experience in other cases, that the number of first-class stations was likely to be very small, but we certainly were not prepared to see only Indore and Rajpootana so classed, while Hyderabad is placed in the second class, along with Nipal, Meywar, Marwar, Jeypoor, and Bhurtpoor. Considering the large size of the community, European and Native, connected more or less directly with the Hyderabad Residency, it is very desirable that the appointment of Residency Surgeon should be a better-paid one than the average of Civil Surgeoncies, independently of any extra allowances given by the Nizam's Government for the superintendence of the Medical School?or of any " pickings" in (lie shape of fees from the aristocracy of Hyderabad. Every station in the British territories, where there is a Commissioner, and the head-quarter stations of the principal Political Agencies, should be made first-class Civil Surgeoncies. This would give a fair number of prizes to the Indian Medical Service, and compensate in some degree for the loss they have sustained in being deprived of so many administrative appointments. As matters stand now, the Deputy Inspector Generalships in the Bengal Residency are almost as man}* as the first-class Civil Surgeoncies. Such economy may be bought at too dear a price. In many cases the Residency Surgeon may, if he chooses, exert a very considerable influence for good over those among whom he dwells. Ilis medical skill secures the confidence of those whose good will it is of importance to engage, and amicable relations naturally follow. All know how much England owes of her present position in India to a medical man. As a reward for his successful services, concessions to his countrymen were asked for ; all personal considerations being laid aside. We cannot again hope that such priceless advantages can be procured for us by any of our Residency Surgeons. Our footing in the country is too firm to make us look for such an occurrence. The day may come, however, in which kindly relations, on an extended basis, with powerful and independent Princes may be an object to the Tiie classification of the Civil
control of the
Government. It is
quite
within the power of many of the Medical men
these Courts to assist in promoting such matured friendships. We have heard Political Officers express in free terms their high sense of the important influence which a Medical near
On the Frontier, the bearing of man may exert in this way. Medical treatment, in bringing the tribes to become open to other influences, has been publicly acknowledged. It seems
short-sighted to ignore all this, and Agencies of a few prizes.
to
deprive
the Political
We trust that the Resident at Hyderabad, and others who can
help
in
having
the
Surgeoncies
attached to them raised to
be first-class ones, will now use their
personal influences to have change effected. Many of the Medical men already in such employ have been specially selected for their appointments. To allow of such a system of selection being continued, fresh induce, ments must be held out, otherwise these second-class" appointments will soon degenerate into passable asylums for the mentally blind, halt, and maimed. the
"
249
1837.]
MEDICAL CHARGE OE POLITICAL AG-ENCIES, &c.
MEDICAL CHARGE OF POLITICAL AGENCIES.
Surgeoncies under the direct Foreign Office, which appeared in the Gazette of India of the 12th September, has taken us by surprise. We knew, from sad experience in other cases, that the number of first-class stations was likely to be very small, but we certainly were not prepared to see only Indore and Rajpootana so classed, while Hyderabad is placed in the second class, along with Nipal, Meywar, Marwar, Jeypoor, and Bhurtpoor. Considering the large size of the community, European and Native, connected more or less directly with the Hyderabad Residency, it is very desirable that the appointment of Residency Surgeon should be a better-paid one than the average of Civil Surgeoncies, independently of any extra allowances given by the Nizam's Government for the superintendence of the Medical School?or of any " pickings" in (lie shape of fees from the aristocracy of Hyderabad. Every station in the British territories, where there is a Commissioner, and the head-quarter stations of the principal Political Agencies, should be made first-class Civil Surgeoncies. This would give a fair number of prizes to the Indian Medical Service, and compensate in some degree for the loss they have sustained in being deprived of so many administrative appointments. As matters stand now, the Deputy Inspector Generalships in the Bengal Residency are almost as man}* as the first-class Civil Surgeoncies. Such economy may be bought at too dear a price. In many cases the Residency Surgeon may, if he chooses, exert a very considerable influence for good over those among whom he dwells. Ilis medical skill secures the confidence of those whose good will it is of importance to engage, and amicable relations naturally follow. All know how much England owes of her present position in India to a medical man. As a reward for his successful services, concessions to his countrymen were asked for ; all personal considerations being laid aside. We cannot again hope that such priceless advantages can be procured for us by any of our Residency Surgeons. Our footing in the country is too firm to make us look for such an occurrence. The day may come, however, in which kindly relations, on an extended basis, with powerful and independent Princes may be an object to the Tiie classification of the Civil
control of the
Government. It is
quite
within the power of many of the Medical men
these Courts to assist in promoting such matured friendships. We have heard Political Officers express in free terms their high sense of the important influence which a Medical near
On the Frontier, the bearing of man may exert in this way. Medical treatment, in bringing the tribes to become open to other influences, has been publicly acknowledged. It seems
short-sighted to ignore all this, and Agencies of a few prizes.
to
deprive
the Political
We trust that the Resident at Hyderabad, and others who can
help
in
having
the
Surgeoncies
attached to them raised to
be first-class ones, will now use their
personal influences to have change effected. Many of the Medical men already in such employ have been specially selected for their appointments. To allow of such a system of selection being continued, fresh induce, ments must be held out, otherwise these second-class" appointments will soon degenerate into passable asylums for the mentally blind, halt, and maimed. the
"
249
